Defined as a pain that lingers for 12 weeks or longer, chronic back pain is a persistent issue for many sufferers of back injuries. This issue often continues to affect sufferers even after they have received medical or surgical treatment. In some cases, chronic back pain can be so severe that its victims can actually become disabled; especially if they are not aware of the cause. It, therefore, becomes incredibly important to identify the issue and seek treatment as early as possible.
Fortunately, there are several natural techniques that can be used to overcome chronic back pain. Let’s take a look at some of the most effective treatments that could provide you with the back pain relief that you require.
Physical Therapy
One of the most effective ways to overcome chronic back pain without requiring surgery is by doing the right kind of physical exercise. This would involve approaching a qualified spine or physical therapist. The therapist will take into account the type of pain that you are experiencing as well as the extent of the pain. Some of the exercises that may be included are stretching, aerobics, core strengthening, retraining your posture, and testing your pain tolerance levels. Ultimately, the physical therapist will develop an exercise program according to your specific condition and the symptoms that you are exhibiting.
Alternative Therapy
In addition to physical pain, chronic back pain can also prove to be an emotional burden, causing you depression and frustration. Fortunately, there are a number of physical activities that can provide you with pain relief while improving your emotional wellbeing. Examples include yoga, meditation, and Tai Chi. There are also other non-surgical remedies that can provide effective pain management. Treatments such as acupuncture, biofeedback therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, and laser therapy can specifically target the worst areas of pain, thereby proving to be effective forms of lower back pain relief.
Getting a Better Night’s Sleep
Being constantly aggravated due to suffering from back pain can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. You can, however, overcome this issue by adjusting your sleep position. Try sleeping on your side and keeping a pillow between your knees as a means of keeping your spine in a position that does not strain your back. It is also advisable to search for a new mattress that is designed with sufferers of back pain in mind.
Injection Treatments
These types of treatments could prove to be an effective substitute for surgery. Simply put, these injections carry with them different types of medication. Just some of the medications that could be injected include nerve ablations, nerve blocks, and steroid injections. What’s great about injection treatments is that they are often covered by insurance companies. While injections are not a permanent solution to chronic back pains, they can help you feel better within hours.
A Change In Diet
Research has shown that pain levels are closely associated with levels of inflammation. Because of this, there is a range of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that you can take to reduce your inflammation levels. If you prefer to reduce your inflammation levels without the use of medication, you could consider adjusting your diet. There are a number of healthy foods that can help to reduce inflammation levels, including fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, and whole grains. At the same time, limit your intake of processed foods, sugar, and trans fats.
Select the Right Footwear
Shoes are an important factor in assisting one to maintain a proper posture. Having shoes of the wrong shape or size can cause one’s legs, hips, and back to misalign. For this reason, avoid wearing high heels and shoes that do not offer sufficient support. It may also be worthwhile to shop for orthotic shoes, as these can help alleviate back pain. To find out more about them, speak to a foot specialist.
Prevention
While there are, thankfully, many methods for alleviating chronic back pain, there are a number of ways that you can reduce your chances of suffering from this type of chronic pain in the first place. Firstly, make sure to maintain a good posture. There are a number of wearable devices that can help remind you to maintain a proper posture. In addition, if you are someone who works long hours in an office environment, you could consider adopting ergonomic tools in your workstation, such as a chair with support or an ergonomic keyboard and mouse.
No matter how severe your chronic back pain is, you can rest assured that there are plenty of techniques out there that will provide you with sufficient back pain relief. No matter which technique you decide to use, make sure that you take advantage of it as soon as possible so you can start benefitting from its effects.
