Relief For Back Pain
Low Back Pain Stretching Exercises
Low back pain is one of the oldest occupational health problems in history and one of the most common causes of work-related complaints among adults. Approximately 15 million people visit doctors each year because of lower back pain. Nearly $25 billion is spent each year to treat this problem. For this reason, the back pain relief and muscle relaxant industries are growing by leaps and bounds.
Low back pain is a muscular and skeletal problem that affects millions of people worldwide. People with blue-collar jobs or those who are required to do heavy manual work are more prone to lumbar aches. It’s not surprising that construction workers have a lot of back pain problems. If left untreated, back pain can affect productivity and increase absenteeism. Worse, it could even be the cause of more serious health problems.
To determine the severity of lower back pain, you may use the following parameters to see how “bad” your back is:
- Acute Low back pain last less than 6 weeks
- Sub-Acute Low back pain between 6 and 12 weeks
- Chronic Low back pain persists for more than 12 weeks
The good news is that there are a variety of treatments for back pain. One of the easiest ways to treat the pain is with muscle relaxants. Simple oral medication can provide relief for back pain. You should see your doctor for advice since some medications for back pain can only be prescribed by a physician.
These are other helpful tips, procedures and strategies on back pain relief that you may want to consider:
- Apply a cold pack to the painful area for 5-10 minutes at time
- Use an heating pad on the painful area if the pain is still there within a few days
- Protect your back. Avoid bending or sudden turning. Go on with your usual activities and try to avoid bed rest
- Get expert professional treatments
- Non-prescription Pain Medications
- Spinal Manipulation
- Get a massage
- Try acupuncture
- Traction treatments
- Biofeedback
- Back Belts and Corsets
- Injections into the back
Certainly, back pain relief goes beyond medication. Lower back pain may not be the result of a physical activity but rather something non-physical like stress. The build-up of everyday stress can make your muscles tighten up and contribute to the slow but painful tension of the back or lumbar muscles. Guided imagery, self-hypnosis, and meditation are being used more frequently these days to treat lunbar discomfort. Back pain relief options can be expensive, depending on the specific technique prescribed by the therapist.
But surely, regardless of the severity or degree of back pain, it is always best to consult a doctor or healthcare professional. The back pain may be a symptom of other illnesses or health problems.