Dealing with lower back pain

Lower Back

Also known as the lumbar spine, the lower back region provides support to the upper body when you walk, run and even sit. Lower back pain is common in a majority of adults due to compression on the lower back joints, ligaments, intervertebral discs and nerves. Lower back pain can last from a few days to a few weeks and ranges from mild to severe. Most episodes of low back pain happen at home, and a majority of them can be treated there. But for the more serious cases, a health professional is required. If you experience serious lower back pain in West Orange, NJ, consult an expert physician as soon as possible,

Dealing with the Pain At Home

The first thing to do is to rest and be patient. The spin is a complex system made up of a collection of blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and joints. If you move the wrong way, over-stress the lower back or experience trauma, it can cause lower back pain. The body has a powerful ability to heal itself, which most times enables the pain to quickly fade away without treatment, especially if the pain is due to a little stress rather than something serious. If you’re at home, take a rest and stop any aggravating activities you might be engaged in.

Bed rest is not recommended for any type of lower back pain. It’s recommended that at least some light exercises and activities should be present to stimulate blood flow and help loosen any spinal joints and irritated nerves. If the pain I caused by exercises at the gym, ask your personal trainer for advice as you may be working out too hard. Use cold therapy by applying a frozen gel pack on the inflamed area to numb the pain. You can also apply some moist heat, take over-the-counter pain medication and change sleeping positions. Improve your posture and use safe lifting techniques.

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Alternative Treatments

Make an appointment with a chiropractor for manual manipulation (spinal adjustment) of the spine that is slightly misaligned. Chiropractors are trained doctors who’ve specialized in the manipulation of the spine to treat muscle problems, ligament strains, and general back problems. Stretching your spine with an inversion table helps lower the pain, as it allows you to recline your upper body and employs the help of gravity to decompress the spine.

Not all lower back pain is joint-related, others are related to muscle strains and muscle pulls. A muscle pull occurs when small muscle fibers tear, causing inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. Deep tissue massage can be used to treat mild strains as they reduce inflammation, calm muscle spasms, and promote relaxation. Find a licensed massage therapist and start with a 30-minute massage, focusing on the lower spine. Additionally, try acupuncture therapy especially if your symptoms are acute.

Getting Medical Treatments

If alternative treatments and basic home care are not helpful in alleviating lower back pain, make an appointment with your doctor. They will examine you to assess whether the pain is due to a more serious spinal issue such as cancer, advanced arthritis, stress fracture, pinched nerve or a herniated disc. For pain management, the doctor will prescribe strong painkillers and request for imaging to be done. This includes MRI, CT scans, and X-rays. The doctor will then refer you to a physical therapist, especially if the lower back pain is chronic and related to poor posture, weak muscles, and degenerative conditions.

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