5 Ways to Treat Back Pain
There are several reasons why you could be experiencing back pain. Consulting an orthopedic surgeon in Lake Mary can help to pinpoint the cause of your pain, and they can also discuss treatments or potential surgery options. Some people live with chronic back pain and don't have any idea what could be causing it. Depending on what is discovered as a cause, you do have options for treatments outside of surgery. These are a few nonsurgical ways to treat your back pain.
Physical Therapy
Believe it or not, when you are experiencing chronic back pain, you will likely be directed to exercise. Physical therapy has proven effective, however, not all chronic back respond positively with each exercise. So, with the guidance of your doctors and specialists, work on the proper exercises. Also, maintain the routine when you are at home.
Here are some common physical therapy methods for chronic back pain:
- Core Strengthening
- Posture Retraining
- Aerobic Exercises
- Pushing Pain Tolerance Limits
- Flexibility Exercises
- Stretches
Be Mindful and Meditate
Meditation is about more than finding your center. In fact, rehabilitation psychologists will recommend many forms of meditation and cognitive strategies designed to keep you from focusing only on back pain. Meditations will help you manage depression, frustration, and irritability that comes with chronic pain.
Diet
One of the best treatments you can follow for your chronic back pain is actually the practice of a better diet. There are many diets that cause inflammation. If they are high in trans fats, processed foods, and refined sugars, they can be especially bad for you. Discuss your diet with your doctor to identify and rectify harmful eating and drinking habits.
Injection
Injection-based treatments consist of nerve blocks, nerve ablations, epidural steroid injections, and some other types of procedures that assist in back pain. These treatments are normally only used when the cause of the pain is known. They can also help weed out certain causes. This treatment is not a long-term solution. It is only to lessen the pain to a stop for a certain amount of time.
Pharmacologic Options
This treatment should not be the first, only, or long-term choice for chronic back pain. Analgesics, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmaceutical drugs can help control your chronic pain in your back. This is often accompanied by unwanted side effects. Many of these drugs are addictive and do nothing to address underlying issues. If you find yourself relying solely on your medication to make it through your day, find an alternative treatment.
If you have been experiencing back pain, contact our orthopedic surgeon in Lake Mary to seek the treatment you deserve today!