Back Pain Treatment

Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Treatment for lower back pain is important because lower back pain makes you unable to perform even regular daily activities. Lower back pain usually resolves with rest and the use of creams or lumbar support medical devices, however, sometimes medical treatment for lower back pain is necessary.

Treatment Options for Back Pain

When pain is not due to lumbar disc herniation, most of the cases get cured over weeks to months spontaneously. 

Medication – analgesics with no response – particularly NSAIDs. Use of muscle relaxants – with the inadequate response. If lower back pain is due to piriformis syndrome, the injections of botulinum cause significant relief. 

Alternative treatment – the effective treatment for acute lower back pain is spinal manipulation but not for chronic.

Surgery – Surgery or unilateral back pain includes the exclusion of the part of the disc, renowned as discectomy, that provides benefits for the short term.

Below are the most common approaches to lower back pain treatment:

Medication

Medication is one of the most popular treatments for lower back pain. Back pain that does not respond well to OTC painkillers may require a prescription NSAID. Codeine or hydrocodone, which are narcotics, may be prescribed for short periods. These require close monitoring by the doctor. In some cases, muscle relaxants may be used.

Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, may be prescribed, but research is ongoing at their effectiveness, and the evidence is conflicting.

Physical Therapy

Applying heat, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation as well as some muscle-release techniques to the back muscles and soft tissues may help alleviate pain. As the pain improves, the physical therapist may introduce some flexibility and strength exercises for the back and abdominal muscles This technique is one of the treatments for lower pain for improving posture.

The patient will be encouraged to practice the techniques regularly, even after the pain has gone, to prevent back pain recurrence.

Cortisone Injections

If other options of treatment for lower back pain are not effective, these may be injected into the epidural space, around the spinal cord. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory drug. It helps reduce inflammation around the nerve roots. Injections may also be used to numb areas thought to be causing the pain.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is another lower back pain treatment that can help manage back pain by encouraging new ways of thinking. It may include relaxation techniques and ways of maintaining a positive attitude. Studies have found that patients with CBT tend to become more active and do exercise, resulting in a lower risk of back pain recurrence.

Surgery

Surgery as a lower back pain treatment is very rare. However, surgery may be an option, especially if there is persistent pain and nerve compression which can lead to muscle weakness.

Examples of surgical procedures include:

• Fusion: Two vertebrae are joined together, with a bone graft inserted between them. The vertebrae are splinted together with metal plates, screws, or cages. There is a significantly greater risk for arthritis to subsequently develop in the adjoining vertebrae.
• Artificial disk: An artificial disk is inserted; it replaces the cushion between two vertebrae.
• Diskectomy: A portion of a disk may be removed if it is irritating or pressing against a nerve.
• Partially removing a vertebra: A small section of a vertebra may be removed if it is pinching the spinal cord or nerves.

Lower Back Pain

Homeopathic treatment for lower back pain is very effective and highly demanded. Before discussing the homeopathic treatment for lower back pain, Let us talk briefly about lower back pain first.

The lumbar spine, or low back, is a remarkably well-engineered structure of interconnecting bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, and muscles all working together to provide support, strength, and flexibility. However, this complex structure also leaves the low back susceptible to injury and pain.

Nearly everyone will experience some form of back pain in his or her lifetime. The low back is the area behind the belly from the rib cage to the pelvis and is also called the lumbar region. Back pain is a major cause of missed work. Low back pain usually resolves on its own and is commonly the result of a strain injury.

Types of Lower Back Pain

There are many ways to categorize lower back pain – two common types are:

Mechanical Pain

By far the most common cause of lower back pain, mechanical pain (axial pain) is pain primarily from the muscles, ligaments, joints (facet joints, sacroiliac joints), or bones in and around the spine. This type of pain tends to be localized to the lower back, buttocks, and sometimes the top of the legs. It is usually influenced by loading the spine and may feel different based on motion (forward/backward/twisting), activity, standing, sitting, or resting.

Radicular Pain

This type of pain can occur if a spinal nerve root becomes impinged or inflamed. Radicular pain may follow a nerve root pattern or dermatome down into the buttock and/or leg. Its specific sensation is sharp, electric, burning-type pain and can be associated with numbness or weakness (sciatica). It is typically felt on only one side of the body.

Causes of Lower Back Pain

The causes of lower back pain are sometimes viewed as being mechanical, organic, or idiopathic. Sometimes spinal conditions are congenital (at birth) or acquired meaning the disorder develops later in life.

Common causes of lower back pain:

• Manual materials handling 
• Twisting of the trunk
• Bending the trunk forward
• Bending the trunk to the side
• Excessive reaching
• Falls
• Prolonged sitting
• Sedentary jobs
• Highly physical jobs
• Exposure to whole-body vibration
• Cigarette smoking
• Obesity

Spinal Stenosis

In the case of spinal stenosis, the spinal canal shrinks and compresses the nerves and spinal cord at the lumbar vertebra level. It is because of the degeneration of the spine due to increased aging. Sometimes, it can be caused by a tumor, inflammation, bone spurs, osteoporosis, and spinal disc herniation.

Spinal Disk Herniation

Spinal disk herniation is commonly renowned as the slipped disc, created by the swelling of surroundings. The herniated disk compresses the spinal nerves on the back causing pain.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, as a result of the weight of the fetus pressing on the sciatic nerve during the legs spasms or while sitting.

Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular disease that takes place when there is compression of the sciatic nerve or otherwise irritated by the pyriformis muscles causing numbness and pain along the path of the sciatic nerve descending into the leg and lower thigh and in the buttocks.

Other Causes of Lower Back Pain

The low back pain can be resulted from the tumors present in the nerve roots or impinging on the spinal cord. The severe back pain extends to the feet and hips, loss of bowel control or bladder, or weakness in the muscles. Trauma to the spine also results from a car accident.

The other common causes of lower back pain are:

• Cauda equina syndrome: The cauda equine is a bundle of spinal nerve roots that arise from the lower end of the spinal cord. Symptoms include a dull pain in the lower back and upper buttocks, as well as numbness in the buttocks, genitalia, and thighs. There are sometimes bowel and bladder function disturbances.
• Cancer of the spine: A tumor on the spine may press against a nerve, resulting in back pain.
• Infection of the spine: A fever and a tender, warm area on the back could be due to an infection of the spine.
• Other infections: Pelvic inflammatory disease, bladder, or kidney infections may also lead to back pain.
• Sleep disorders: Individuals with sleep disorders are more likely to experience back pain, compared with others.
• Shingles: An infection that can affect the nerves may lead to back pain. This depends on which nerves are affected.

Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

The main symptoms of lower back pain are an ache or pain anywhere in the back, and sometimes all the way down to the buttocks and legs.

Some back issues can cause pain in other parts of the body, depending on the nerves affected. The pain often goes away without treatment. However, listed below are symptoms of lower back pain:

• Inflammation or swelling on the back
• Persistent back pain was lying down or resting does not help
• Pain down the legs
• Pain that reaches below the knees
• A recent injury, blow, or trauma to the back
• Urinary incontinence
• Difficulty urinating
• Fecal incontinence, or loss of control over bowel movements
• Numbness around the genitals
• Numbness around the anus
• Numbness around the buttocks

Natural Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Natural treatment for lower back pain is another lower back of pain treatment that is effective. Natural treatment for lower back pain reduces the intake of medications or provides an added benefit to your existing medical treatment. Listed below are natural treatments for lower back pain

Home Remedies for Back Pain – A Great Approach to the Natural Treatment of Lower Back Pain

Home remedies for lower back pain are simple natural remedies for back pain that can be achieved at home without visiting any medical facilities. Listed below are the most common approaches to relief from home treatment for lower back pain

Use Heat and Cold – The Most Common Natural Treatment for Lower Back Pain

The use of heat and cold is probably the most common method of home treatment for lower back pain. Studies show that heat and cold are effective ways to get relief from back pain. Ice packs are most beneficial when a person uses them directly after an injury, such as a strain. Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel directly to the back can reduce inflammation. That makes cold and hot applications one of the best home remedies for lower back pain.

Cold may also provide a numbing effect for sudden, intense back pain. A person can use cold packs designed for pain relief, or in a pinch, use a bag of ice or frozen vegetables covered with a cloth to protect the skin from frostbite. It is best not to apply ice for more than 20 minutes at a time. A heating pad can also relieve stiff or achy muscles. People should be sure to read and follow the instructions on any heating pad and test the temperature carefully to ensure it is not too hot. If a heating pad is unavailable, a person can use a hot water bottle or heat a cloth bag of uncooked rice in the microwave.

Stretches for Lower Back Pain Relief – An Essential Part of any Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Stretches for lower back pain relief is another home remedy for lower back pain that has been proven to be effective. The following stretches for lower back pain relief may help to alleviate stiffness and discomfort. People should hold each stretch for 30 seconds or as long as it feels comfortable.

• Touching the toes: In addition to stretching the hamstrings, bending forward to reach your toes will help loosen the muscles in the lower back.
• Cobra Pose: Lying on your stomach, with your hands face down beside the shoulders, gently lift your chest up so that the top of your head points toward the ceiling.
• Cat-Cow Pose: Beginning on your hands and knees, slowly alternate between arching your back toward the ceiling and dipping it toward the floor.
• Child’s Pose: Sitting on the heels with your knees hip-width apart, lean forward to place your head on the floor, stretching your arms out in front of your head.

Yoga for Lower Back Pain – Exercise-Based Natural Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Yoga for lower back pain is another technique of treatment for back pain at home that is effective in relieving the symptoms of back pain. Yoga for lower back pain is great for working on flexibility and core stability, correcting posture, and breathing all of which are necessary for a healthy back.

Cat-Cow

• This gentle, accessible backbend stretches and mobilizes the spine. Practicing this pose also stretches your torso, shoulders, and neck.

Downward-Facing Dog

• This traditional forward bend can be restful and rejuvenating. Practicing this pose can help relieve back pain and even sciatica. It helps to work out imbalances in the body and improves strength.

Extended Triangle

• This yoga pose for lower back pain can help alleviate backache, sciatica, and neck pain. It stretches your spine, hips, and groin, and strengthens your shoulders, chest, and legs. It may also help relieve stress and anxiety.

Massage for Lower Back Pain – One of the Best Methods of Natural Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Massage for low back pain is the most commonly used natural remedy for back pain that can provide substantial healing and pain relief for many lower back problems. Specifically, for pain caused by a back strain, when the correct muscle is targeted, the pain can be controlled at its source for quick and lasting relief.

There are many types of massage for lower back pain. Some of them are safe to try at home, and others should only be done by a professional.

• Therapeutic massage. This is any type of massage that targets an area of your body to relieve specific discomfort and pain.
• Deep tissue massage. This type of massage requires an expert. That is because this technique massages your body with more force and reaches muscles and connective tissues on a deeper level.
• Swedish massage. This is gentler than deep tissue massage, and emphasizes long, circular movements and kneading as well as tapping and vibration.
• Sports massage. A sports massage is geared toward athletes. It’s used to prevent injury or to help an injured athlete return to sport.
• Shiatsu massage. This is a Japanese style of massage and uses pressure over the body in a rhythmic fashion. This is intended to stimulate the body to heal itself.

Acupuncture for Lower Back Pain – An Ancient Chinese Natural Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Acupuncture for lower back pain is another natural remedy for back pain and inflammation that is helpful for many people. It could even be better for back pain than certain medications.

The efficacy of acupuncture for lower back pain is backed by research, and a qualified, well-trained professional, can provide safe treatment. Acupuncture is a successful go-to therapy for chronic back pain. It can apply to either lower or upper back pain.

Homeopathic Treatment for Lower Back Pain

In the treatment of low back pain, homeopathic medications can be a great help for you. The medicines for low back pain work through preventing complications and reducing the pain. Homeopathy assists in controlling the pain that you feel during the acute illnesses of lumbago along with aid in preventing the recurrence of similar episodes. It assists in decreasing the stiffness and increase the mobility of the joints. Homeopathic medications for lower back pain aid first through stopping the increase of illness, reducing the pain, and thus a non-temporary cure for lumbar radiculopathy.

A great benefit that homeopathic treatment for back pain provides is that once treated the probabilities of relapse are the least. Better nutritional diets and other lifestyle changes can facilitate the best cure for back pain. Homeopathy offers natural medications that can reduce lumbar pain. One of the significant advantages that homeopathy provides in the treatment of back pain is that it can treat the disorder through irritation on the sciatic nerve or rectifying the compression.

Homeopathic Remedies for Back Pain

Aesculus: The pain feels worse in the lower back while standing up after sitting and gets worse from stooping, can be made easy with this option. Aesculus is for individuals with pain in the lower back that tend the hemorrhoids and venous congestion.

Arnica Montana: This medication relieves the stiffness and aches in the lower back from minor trauma or overexertion.

Calcarea Carbonica: It is beneficial for muscle weakness and low back pain, particularly in an individual who is overweight, flabby and chilly, and tired through exertion. The muscle weakness and chronic low back pain can result in soreness and inflammation aggravated through cold and dampness.

Bryonia: It is used when there is worsening back pain even from the slight motion. Walking, turning, coughing, or changing position can cause excruciating and sharp pain. It can be helpful for back pain after the backaches and injury during illness.

Nux Vomica: It is for constricting pain and muscle cramps in the back. The discomfort pain is increased by the cold and lessened by the warmth. Pain is high during the nighttime, and the individual may have to sit up from the bed to turn over. During constipation, the backache is also worse and pain in more when the individual feels the urge for moving the bowels.

Natrum Muriaticum: The back pain that gets better from pressing the hard object or lying on something hard against the painful part suggests a need for this medication. The individual often looks formal or reserved, but he has strong feelings that he kept away from other people.  The back pain from the emotions such as anger or hurt may be considered to Natrum Muriaticum.

Sulfur: This remedy is best when an individual with back pain has a slouching posture. The person feels a weak back, and it gets worse when standing up for any time duration. Pain also gets worse from stooping. Warmth can aggravate inflammation and pain.

Rhus Toxicodendron: This remedy is helpful for the pain in the lower back as well as the pain in the shoulders and neck when the pain is more on the first movements and gets better while moving. The individual finds it challenging to stay still for a long time or lie down. Stiffness and aching are more in the cold damp weather and decreased by massage, showers or baths, and warm applications.

Prevention of Back Pain

One of the best ways the prevention of back pain is by protecting the lower spine. You should follow these tips that can be productive in maintaining health and keeping free from pain.

Good posture: While working and sitting, maintaining a good posture supports your back and hips and does not compress the backside of your knees and thighs as sitting is essential to keep a healthy back.

Exercise regularly: through regular exercise, you can strengthen your abdominal muscles and back and avoid damage to the vertebral column.

Homeopathy also provides additional advantages by assisting in rectifying the low back pain and strengthening the constitution of a patient so that the disease can be cured of its roots and there can be no recurrences further.  The homeopathic medicines are effective and fast and are totally free from any side effects and natural. They are among the most commonly accepted forms of medicine that create no side effects and can be taken by both women and men.

Homeopathic Treatment for Back Pain in Philadelphia

Homeopathic treatment is one of the most effective treatment approaches for low back pain, especially if accompanied by acupuncture. At the Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic, Dr. Tsan uses the traditional homeopathy for back pain, along with acupuncture and homeosiniatry.

Contact Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic to book an appointment for Homeopathic Evaluation with Dr. Tsan.