Lower back pain can be characterized by the feeling of a dull, sharp or burning sensation that can be felt over the entire lower back region or concentrated in a single area. The causes of the pain felt can vary and may be attributed to strain, injury, and trauma that the muscles, ligaments and spinal discs are exposed to. In rare cases, the pain felt can be a result of illness or deformity.
The severity of the pain felt in the lower back also varies greatly and for more severe cases, it is very much recommended to seek immediate professional medical help. The time span of feeling pain is categorized into three acute, recurrent, and chronic. Pain is considered acute if it lasts less than 3 months. Home remedies will effectively relieve the individual for this type of pain. Pain considered to be recurrent is just like acute pain but comes in a regular basis. To prevent pain from recurring, exercise is recommended to keep muscles strong. A more serious type of pain is a pain that lasts for more than three months called chronic pain. To treat chronic pain, a combination of exercises and medication has to be given to the individual suffering from the said condition.
To treat acute lower back pain, these simple home remedies will be able to relieve the pain. First, is to apply an ice pack over the affected area for fifteen to twenty minutes within a period of three days. After three days, a warm compress must be introduced to the same area for the same amount of time. Another way to do this is to alternate putting hot and cold packs to the affected area for several times in a day. Pain medications, such as Tylenol and Advil, can also be taken to relieve the pain. Getting bed rest is also recommended but as soon as one feels a slight relief, he must continue doing his normal activities to keep the muscles strong.
For the treatment of chronic lower back pain, counseling is also recommended aside from the combination of exercises and medications to be administered. This is because experiencing pain for extended periods of time will have an effect on one's personality as a result of stress and frustration. Daily exercises should be undertaken to effectively manage chronic pain. Medications like acetaminophen should also be administered for pain relief. Other form of medications that can be helpful in the treatment of chronic pain are anti-depressants, muscle relaxants, and anesthetic. Therapies such as chiropractic, acupuncture and massage can also help relieve the pain that is felt.
These are just some of the ways that can help the individual suffering from pains in the back to better his condition. Before self-administering any type of medications and self-care, it is always better to consult a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Having a healthy back is the main concern here so one should not risk damaging the back further by doing things on his own. Remember to always seek professional help especially if the back problems experienced are already severe in nature.
