“How do I treat my back pain?”
I am having a nagging pain in my lower back. What ointment or other home treatment can I use, or will a hot water soak help?
6 Answers
Depending on the nature of the pain I would suggest seeing a chiropractor first to see what could cause the pain in the foot
Home remedies only cover up the problem. You need to treat the cause of the problem, so schedule an appointment with a chiropractor to find out what is the cause of your lower back pain.
Stretch your hamstring muscles and use refrigerator cold packs (not freezer temp.) right on the skin in the area of pain. See a chiropractor to possibly fix it.
Ice is first always. If it's not gone in 3 days, see a chiropractor.
A good thing to try is ice, especially if the pain is on the spine. 15 minutes 3 times daily. I also recommend going to your local chiropractor to identify and treat the cause of your pain.
Basic Home Remedies to Alleviate Back Pain
Basic remedies applied at home can be effective for treating mild pain from muscle strain, as well as reducing the effects of severe pain. Options include:
Rest. Many episodes of lower back pain can be improved by briefly avoiding strenuous activity. It is not advised to rest for more than a few days, as too much inactivity can make healing more difficult.
Activity modification. One variant of resting is to stay active but avoid activities and positions that aggravate the pain. For example, if long periods of sitting in a car or at a desk make the pain worse, then set a timer to get up every 20 minutes and walk around or gently stretch. If standing makes the pain worse, avoid chores that require standing such as washing dishes at the sink. Avoiding, or minimizing, activities and positions that worsen the pain will help prevent or reduce painful back spasms and allow for a better healing environment.
Heat/ice therapy. Heat from a warm bath, hot water bottle, electric heating pad, or chemical or adhesive heat wraps can relax tense muscles and improve blood flow. Increased blood flow brings nutrients and oxygen that muscles need to heal and stay healthy. If the low back is painful due to inflammation, ice or cold packs can be used to reduce swelling. It’s important to protect the skin while applying heat and ice to prevent tissue damage.
Alternating heat and ice can be especially helpful when returning to activity: applying heat before activities helps relax muscles, allowing for better flexibility and mobility; applying ice after activity reduces the chances of an area becoming irritated and swollen from exercise.
Over-the-counter pain medications. The most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications are aspirin (e.g. Bayer), ibuprofen (e.g. Advil), naproxen (e.g. Aleve), and acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol). Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are anti-inflammatory medicines, which alleviate low back pain caused by a swollen nerves or muscles. Acetaminophen works by interfering with pain signals sent to the brain.
Self-care treatments generally do not need guidance from a doctor but should be used carefully and attentively. Any type of medication carries possible risks and side effects. If a patient is unsure which kinds of self-care would work best, give us a call on 727-388-0966 and we will endeavor to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Thanks
Dr. Martin
Basic remedies applied at home can be effective for treating mild pain from muscle strain, as well as reducing the effects of severe pain. Options include:
Rest. Many episodes of lower back pain can be improved by briefly avoiding strenuous activity. It is not advised to rest for more than a few days, as too much inactivity can make healing more difficult.
Activity modification. One variant of resting is to stay active but avoid activities and positions that aggravate the pain. For example, if long periods of sitting in a car or at a desk make the pain worse, then set a timer to get up every 20 minutes and walk around or gently stretch. If standing makes the pain worse, avoid chores that require standing such as washing dishes at the sink. Avoiding, or minimizing, activities and positions that worsen the pain will help prevent or reduce painful back spasms and allow for a better healing environment.
Heat/ice therapy. Heat from a warm bath, hot water bottle, electric heating pad, or chemical or adhesive heat wraps can relax tense muscles and improve blood flow. Increased blood flow brings nutrients and oxygen that muscles need to heal and stay healthy. If the low back is painful due to inflammation, ice or cold packs can be used to reduce swelling. It’s important to protect the skin while applying heat and ice to prevent tissue damage.
Alternating heat and ice can be especially helpful when returning to activity: applying heat before activities helps relax muscles, allowing for better flexibility and mobility; applying ice after activity reduces the chances of an area becoming irritated and swollen from exercise.
Over-the-counter pain medications. The most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications are aspirin (e.g. Bayer), ibuprofen (e.g. Advil), naproxen (e.g. Aleve), and acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol). Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are anti-inflammatory medicines, which alleviate low back pain caused by a swollen nerves or muscles. Acetaminophen works by interfering with pain signals sent to the brain.
Self-care treatments generally do not need guidance from a doctor but should be used carefully and attentively. Any type of medication carries possible risks and side effects. If a patient is unsure which kinds of self-care would work best, give us a call on 727-388-0966 and we will endeavor to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Thanks
Dr. Martin
