Neurologic symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include:

• Bowel or bladder dysfunction


• Groin or leg weakness or numbness


• Severe symptoms that do not subside after a few days


• Pain prohibiting everyday activities

Your recovery can also be helped along with natural supplements (see below), and increasing antioxidants in your diet to reduce inflammation which is one of the main causes of back pain.

Over-the counter or prescription medications can help relieve back pain, and natural supplements may also be helpful, too, however do not expect the natural supplements to give you instant relief.

NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and other medications can have adverse side effects, especially if overused.

Take heart, just because you have back pain doesn't mean you necessarily need serious medical attention or surgery. It does mean, however, that you're in good company and that you have an array of treatment options to get you feeling better.

What are Some Treatments to Relieve Back Pain?

There are many treatments to help relieve back pain such as:

• Rest: If your back hurts, take a little rest for a couple of hours. Lie down and avoid overusing your back muscles for a little while (one day, perhaps).

  Don't stay in bed for long periods, though, because too much rest can make your back pain worse. After a short rest, get up and move around again.

• Natural Supplements/Antioxidants: I consume lots of antioxidants daily with . Read more about the benefits of dark chocolate and fruits and vegetables which provide your body with the antioxidants it needs.



Physical Back Treatments


• Chiropractic Treatment: Chiropractic is conservative care, which means it is non-surgical and drugless.

  In treating low back "slipped discs", most spine experts agree that conservative care should be tried before surgery is considered, except in severe cases.

  Chiropractic care has a long history of successfully providing conservative care for disc conditions. Some chiropractors also perform heat/cold therapy as well as massage.to bring additional blood flow to the area and to attempt to relax the muscles. www.chiropractic-help.com : Manipulation may be the first line of defense against acute and chronic lower back and leg pain.

  Although 1.5 million lumbar MRI scans are carried out each year in the USA for sciatica, only 20% reveal a herniated disk, and about one third of the surgeries fail to relieve the sciatica.

  As a consequence, 80% receive no clear diagnosis and 100,000 people have spine surgery that fails.

• Over-the-Counter or Prescription Medications: Many medications are available over-the-counter at your local drug store or pharmacy. Other medications require a doctor's prescription. Before using these medications be sure and read the side effects.


• Cold/Heat Therapy: During the first 24 to 48 hours cold therapy can help reduce inflammation, muscle spasm, and pain by reducing blood flow. Cold therapy may be recommended immediately following a sprain or strain. Apply cold to your back using cold packs, ice cubes, iced towels, or take a cool bath.

  After the first 48 hours, apply heat therapy to your aching back by using a hot compress, a dry or moist heating pad, or hot bath. Heat therapy increases blood flow to warm and relax soft tissues and can help decrease muscle spasms, relax tense muscles, relieve pain, and increase range of motion.

  If you are not sure whether to use heat or cold, a good general rule is "does it make your back feel better when you apply it"? If you feel better then it is working. Remember, never apply cold or heat/hot therapies directly on your skin, wrap it in a towel first no longer than 15-20 minutes.

• Weight Loss: Most people know that obesity contributes to the development of coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer.

  However, did you know that obesity is a contributing factor to back pain? Being overweight or obese can significantly contribute to symptoms associated with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), degenerative disc disease (DDD), spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.

  Our spine is designed to carry the body's weight and distribute the loads during rest and activity. When excess weight is carried, our spine is forced to accommodate the burden, which may lead to structural damage (e.g., injury, sciatica).

  The low back is most vulnerable to the effects of obesity. See the Weight Loss Tips page to help you begin to lose that excess weight.


• Exercise: Lack of exercise and bodily conditioning leads to poor flexibility and weak muscles in the back, pelvis and thighs. Regular exercise can improve your balance, reflexes and coordination.

  This means you are less likely to fall and injure yourself. Injuries from falling can mean disaster to someone with osteoporosis. Healthy body composition means a high proportion of lean body mass (e.g. muscle) to a small proportion of fat.

  Strength training can help by raising the metabolic rate and lowering body fat. Increased muscle strength helps to maintain good posture and body mechanics during activity.

  Not only does good physical conditioning reduce the chance of injury but increases physical performance such as climbing stairs or carrying groceries with ease.

• See Your Doctor: The most important thing to remember about periodic bouts of back pain is that if they occur more and more frequently, increase in duration (more than a few days), or the pain starts to interfere with your usual daily activities, it's time to see your doctor.

  It could be more than just a minor strain. The good news is that most back problems can be treated with methods are that non-surgical. If they go untreated though, they could cause serious health consequences.

• Physical Therapy: Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy by writing you out a prescription. Physical therapy includes a combination of non-surgical treatments to decrease pain and increase flexibility.

  Ice and heat therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, gentle massage, stretching, and back/neck tractions are some examples. In 4-6 weeks, the majority of patients find their symptoms are relieved without surgery.

  Being optimistic about your treatment plan is a plus and remember that less than 5% of back problems require surgery.


• Massage: This is a popular therapy that can help relieve muscle tension, spasms, inflammation, aches, stiffness, and pain.

  It can also help improve circulation, flexibility, and range of motion. Massage can be administered by a professional (massage therapist) or you can give yourself a mini-massage using hand-held massagers that can help increase blood flow and relieve pain.

• Surgery: Although most patients respond well to non-surgical treatments, some patients do need surgery. In general, surgery should be considered only after several months of non-surgical treatment.

  Many surgical procedures can be performed using minimally invasive techniques such as less "cutting" and entering the body. This results in smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, less pain after surgery, and a faster recovery.

  If your doctor recommends surgery, always ask the purpose of the operation, results you can expect, and possible complications. If back surgery is suggested by your doctor, don't hesitate to ask for a second opinion. Most back surgery requires several weeks or months of recovery times. This is your right.

  Your doctor will be able to refer you to a specialist to who can take another look at your condition and possibly make other suggestions.

Take your time and do not make these decisions right away.

The Back Pain Remedies Network Online Back Pain Remedies Guide

Learn more about relieving chronic and acute back pain naturally through wellness technologies at pain relief without drugs.

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.antioxidants-4-life.com

Return to Home Page from Back Pain.