Table of Contents
Almost everyone has experienced, at least once in a lifetime, some kind of back pain.
Medications and therapies
- Physical therapy and exercise
There are several types of physical therapy such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and muscle release techniques. Of course, when pain improves, the therapist can teach patient specific exercises to increase flexibility and strengthen back muscles.
- Medications
Sometimes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are being prescribed or even some muscle relaxants, to relieve mild to moderate back pain.
- Cortisone injections
Sometimes doctors may prescribe cortisone injections — an anti-inflammatory medication — into the space around your spinal cord.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
A procedure called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses a specific device which sends a weak electrical current through specific points on the skin to nerve pathways
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles the width of a human hair along precise points throughout the body
Treatment for chronic back pain may also include using:
- Antidepressant medications
- Narcotics (opioids)
Surgical and other procedures
Good thing is that back surgery is rarely indicated. There are no effective surgical techniques for muscle- and soft-tissue-related back pain. Types of back surgery include:
- Laminectomy and laminotomy
Every patient should know that these procedures involve removing part of vertebra in order to relieve pain! This procedure may relieve leg pain caused by bone spurs or disk fragments that protrude into spinal canal.
- Fusion
This surgery involves joining two vertebrae to eliminate painful movement and further vertebrae damage!
- Intradiscal electro-thermal therapy (IDET)
In this treatment, doctors insert a needle through a catheter into the disk. The needle is heated to a high temperature for up to 20 minutes. It showed to be highly beneficial!
Prevention of back pain
- It is proven that regular low-impact aerobic exercises can increase strength and endurance in back and allow muscles to function better. Beside exercises- walking and swimming are good choices
- Every patient should build muscle strength and flexibility. Abdominal and back muscle exercises help condition these muscles so that they work together like a natural corset for your back. Flexibility in your hips and upper legs aligns your pelvic bones to improve how your back feels.
- It is proven that smokers have diminished oxygen levels in their spinal tissues
- Maintain a healthy weight