5 Alternative Back Pain Treatments to Try Before Surgery

Dealing with back pain can make you feel miserable. Whether you experience chronic pain, muscle spasms, or sciatic nerve pain, it seriously decreases the quality of life and interferes with your daily activities. Unfortunately, over 80 percent of people have to deal with back pain during their lives. Despite the wide variety of traditional back pain treatment options, these remedies often have a lot of side effects and contraindications. 

Fortunately, there are many alternative back pain treatment options. Most of them can be done at home and don’t require a prescription from a doctor. Keep reading to go through 5 awesome alternative treatment options for back pain. 

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice in which tiny needles are inserted into special points on your body. While scientific evidence confirming the effectiveness of acupuncture is mixed, many individuals with back pain experience noticeable relief. This therapy works by increasing blood flow to your spine. This promotes healing and recovery from injuries and other spine problems.

Acupuncture also causes your brain to release endorphins. These are your body's natural pain relievers that decrease pain and enhance mental well-being. It is critical to select an experienced practitioner in order to get the most advantages. You may ask your best pain doctor to refer you to a good acupuncture practitioner.

2. Anti-inflammatory diet

The foods you eat are the basis of a healthy lifestyle. If you have an inflammatory condition that causes backaches, it is important to incorporate in your diet more anti-inflammatory foods. An anti-inflammatory diet can be just as effective as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Some of the foods that can help you ease inflammation include fatty fish, leafy greens, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

At the same time, you need to reduce your intake of foods that can trigger or aggravate inflammation, leading to more pain. Foods that are linked to a higher risk of inflammation include fast food, processed foods, saturated fat, and refined carbohydrates. 

3. Physical activity

It can be tempting to decrease your physical activity when you experience back pain. But this can actually lead to even more pain. For most patients with back pain, it is important to maintain moderate physical activity. This helps keep back muscles strong and promotes a range of motion in the joints. Special stretching exercises keep your muscles and ligaments flexible, preventing stiffness. 

Mild aerobic exercise encourages blood and nutrient flow to the tissues in your back. This helps speed up healing and reduce inflammation that often leads to back pain. 

4. Calcium supplements

Calcium is essential for healthy bones. Taking enough calcium can help you relieve discomfort from conditions that affect bone density and strength. The dose of calcium you need to take daily depends on your age, diet, and health conditions. An average adult person should get 1,000 to 1,200 mg per day. It isn’t recommended to consume more than 2,000 mg daily because it can lead to heart and bone problems. 

If you cannot get enough calcium from your diet, it is recommended to opt for calcium food supplements. They can help you strengthen your bones and reduce back pain. 

5. Healthy weight

Excess weight is a major risk factor for back pain. Excessive pounds add stress to the joints within your spine, making them wear and tear faster than in people with a healthy weight. Considering the fact that over 40 percent of people in the United States are overweight, losing excess weight can help you improve the health of your spine. 

If you have difficulty losing weight, you may consult your primary care doctor. The doctor can refer you to a dietitian and physical therapist. Physical therapy can help you both lose weight and build core strength. This is a great way to treat back pain and lower the risk of obesity-related health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.