Back pain is one of the most common afflictions around the world today. It is debilitating, and the pain can be so fierce that it makes meeting the basics of even getting out of bed and getting yourself some food an exercise in pure agony. If you've been suffering from back pain for at least three months, then you have what is referred to as chronic back pain. Unfortunately, there isn't just one cause you can point at and say, “Oh, that's what's causing it.” A wide variety of problems cause chronic back pain, although slightly less than what cause what is known as acute back pain, or back pain lasting less than three months. For the best chronic back pain treatment, you first need to understand some of the causes and what you can do to combat them.

Acute Vs. Chronic

Chronic back pain treatment differs from acute in that acute is often caused from strained muscles (such as overexerting muscles). Therefore, chronic back pain treatment is more likely to include medicine as integral to the treatment, whereas acute treatment might be more focused on exercising and stretching the back muscles to make them stronger. Pain medicine like ibuprofen is fantastic for use with upper back pain treatment, but the risks from prolonged use are higher than short term use, so you'll want to discuss all possible strategies with your doctor before choosing which medicine will help you get through the chronic pain the best.

Chronic back pain treatment isn't always cheap, and it isn't pleasant, but it sure beats the alternative of lying in bed all day for months in absolute misery. Even if you are on the medicine, you will probably have off days when the pain is still too great that you don't want to do anything at all. You might also need to visit a chiropractor to provide immediate and lasting relief, and in the worst cases, chronic back pain treatment can call for surgery (although very rarely and only when the physical affliction is palpable and easily diagnosed).

If you're suffering from chronic back pain, you aren't alone. Millions of Americans suffer back pain every single year, and many of them have chronic cases. Billions of dollars are being poured into finding new ways to alleviate back pain (and all other sorts of pain) because it ultimately costs businesses even more in sick days. If you have been suffering from back pain for at least three months, then you need to see your doctor immediately and get help with chronic back pain treatment.