5 pain management techniques for a painful back
We explain how to get rid of back pain using a few simple pain management tips.
Back pain is one of the major causes of short- and long-term disability among people worldwide, especially among older age groups. It can affect your lifestyle and also keep you from attending office. It’s always better to deal with it before it becomes a chronic concern.
How to get rid of back pain in 5 ways
#1. Get the right diagnosis. Most people tend to overlook back pain till it becomes impossible to ignore. Delaying diagnosis of the cause can also delay treatment – and this can make the problem a chronic one. You might be prescribed a series of scans (X-Ray, CT scan), or if the problem involves nerve or muscle damage, then an MRI. The doctor might also recommend a bone scan to ascertain if the pain is a result of spinal tumour(s) or bone overgrowth. Correct diagnosis leads to better pain management.
#2. Deal with it at home. If your back pain is stress-related, then you can deal with it yourself without going to the doctor right away. Rest your back whenever possible, taking care to apply a pain relief cream or spray about thrice a day to relieve the ache. Apply a hot compress to the painful area for 10 minutes. Now apply a pain relief cream as directed on the pack, with gentle but repeated pressure. Pick a cream that contains a natural formulation comprising wintergreen oil, eucalyptus oil, mint extract and turpentine oil, for faster pain relief.
#3. Stay hydrated. Upping your fluid intake benefits not just your digestive and metabolic processes, but it also plays a key role in pain management. Toxins are flushed out faster via sweat or waste when you increase your water intake. Give your painful back a better shot at healing itself, by consuming ginger tea, green tea or white tea at least thrice a day. These teas promote faster healing and exhibit antioxidant properties. Add a spoonful of organic honey to each cup to increase its potency.
#4. Stretch it. Most people are wary of exerting an already painful back – but most people are unaware of the healing effects of stretching the muscles and joints. Stretching gently ‘opens’ up sore muscles and promotes better blood circulation to the area, thereby speeding up the healing process. You can consult a senior trainer about stretching and back exercises to help your back muscles develop tensile strength.
#5. Go to a physiotherapist. Certain forms of back pain are brought on by injury or blunt trauma, or muscular atrophy, or disorders like multiple sclerosis. These might take weeks or months of sustained therapy. An experienced physiotherapist will recommend a series of exercises, and also the use of implements like a TheraBand or dumbbells. Certain forms of back pain can also be treated by aqua-therapy (calisthenics/yoga/Pilates) in a swimming pool.
