What to Do For Back Pain at Home – How Doctors Can Help
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Many people wonder what to do for back pain at home. The reason people ask this question because they don’t want to undergo treatments like medications and surgeries. Medications, such as NSAIDs, can cause various side effects when used for a long time.
These adverse reactions include stomach aches, diarrhea, indigestion, ulcers, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and allergies. Likewise, when patients undergo open-back surgeries, they will experience a large open incision that can increase infection risk.
Open-back surgery can also increase the risk of blood loss during the procedure. It may also affect the delicate muscles, ligaments, tendons, tissues, and nerves in the spine. Dissection of spinal muscles is directly proportional to decreased mobility and a longer rehabilitation period. That’s why people with spinal pain ask: what to do for back pain at home. Read on!
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What to Do For Back Pain At Home
Severe back pain doctor Plano TX says that aging is the most common cause of back pain. Bone, joints, and muscles in the spine change over time. Discs are important spinal structures that work as cushions between spinal bones. As you age, your spinal discs tend to wear out and become fragmented, which leads to discomfort and pain.
Before telling you severe back pain solutions Plano TX that you can apply at home, bear in mind that a herniated disc is another cause of back pain. It occurs when a disc pushes outside or has a misalignment, causing nerve compression. If you have lower back pain, the discomfort and pain can radiate down your leg, causing sciatica. What to do for back pain at home if you don’t want to use medications or undergo open-back surgery?
Cold and Heat Therapies
These are the most commonly used severe back pain solutions Plano TX. You can use an ice pack or cold compresses following a spinal injury to alleviate pain by numbing your back. Cold therapy can reduce inflammation in your spine and reduce pain.
After 48 hours, you can apply a hot-water bottle or heating pads to your spine to soothe or relax your muscles. Heating pads increase blood flow to the injured muscles and provide nutrients to speed up the healing process. Remember, heat therapy works for the first seven days.
Stay Active
Previously, people would believe that bed rest is one of the severe back pain solutions Plano TX. Today, studies have found that bed rest can worsen back pain. Severe back pain doctor Plano TX often recommends their patients limit bed rest and stay active to avoid muscle stiffness.
Although bed rest can relieve lower back pain, especially if you have difficulty standing and sitting, limiting it to 4-5 hours in the first few days can reduce pain. Staying active does not mean performing intense exercises. The purpose is to maintain a healthy movement.
Exercise
Mild physical activity or exercise helps strengthen your muscles and make them flexible. That way, your spinal muscles are less prone to injuries. Exercise also speeds up the healing process and prevents back pain problems in the future. Simple activities, such as walking, swimming, and biking, can improve your back function.
While exercise is an excellent way to strengthen your muscles, it is wise to consult your health provider before engaging in physical activities. Your doctor or physical therapist will develop a workout program tailored to your specific needs.
Severe back pain doctors Plano TX say that a good exercise program includes flexibility exercises, strength training, and aerobic workouts. You can also incorporate yoga poses and deep breathing techniques in your exercise routine to further benefit from your workout program.
Anti-inflammatory Diet
A balanced is key to overall health and wellbeing. It improves your physical and mental health. Foods high in anti-inflammatory nutrients and antioxidants can significantly reduce the risk of back pain.
For example, tomatoes, olive oil, spinach, collards, kale, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, oranges, sardines, tuna, mackerel, and salmon contain higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These foods can reduce inflammation and help alleviate back pain.
Free radicals are a natural part of the metabolic processes. However, they can cause inflammation. Antioxidants in cherries and oranges can fight free radicals and reduce their levels in the body. As a result, you have relaxed muscles, less discomfort, and decreased pain.
Talk to a neurosurgeon
Many people have a misconception about surgery. Keep in mind that there are two types of spinal surgeries: open-back and minimally invasive surgery. The latter has been proven to be one of the best methods to alleviate back pain permanently.
Unlike open-back surgery, minimally invasive surgery does not lead to blood loss during the procedure because it involves making a tiny incision. Similarly, if you undergo this type of surgery, you will have no or reduced risk of infection. You can go home within 1-2 days after the surgery.
Some patients are even discharged the same day. The rehabilitation period is likewise shorter than open-back surgery. The biggest benefit of minimally invasive surgery is the sparing of delicate muscles, tissues, and nerves in your spine. What to do for back pain at home – well, you can use the methods given above, but if the pain persists, you can contact MINT’s qualified neurosurgeon.