Unique Ways to Treat Back Pain -R- priyog

According to the American Chiropractic Association, 50% of working American adults suffer from back pain each year. The ACA also estimates that 80% of people deal with back pain sometime throughout their life.

In most cases, patients are given the same advice. Many are told to control their pain with over-the-counter painkillers and apply a heating pad to the area. If the pain persists, the patient may be told to visit a chiropractor or get regular massages. But what if these treatments aren’t effective?

Five Quick and Easy Ways to Relieve Back Pain

If you are living with acute back pain, there are several things you can do to alleviate pressure, which include:

● Refraining from carrying backpacks that weigh more than 10 to 20% of your weight.
● Taking breaks from sitting to stretch the back every hour.
● Placing a small pillow under your lower back while you sleep.
● Placing a pillow between your knees while sleeping on your side.
● Running a warm epsom salt bath after physical activity.

Many people make the mistake of taking pain medication and forgetting about their back pain. Making the effort to alleviate pressure, instead of just masking the pain, can make a huge difference.

Two Pieces of Furniture that Contribute to Back Pain

According to the ACA, most pain back is not caused by a serious condition. Most people suffer from back pain due to injury or poor back support. Two pain-causing culprits are your mattress and your office chair.

Most people think that firm mattresses are the best for back support. However, this is not always the cause. A mattress that is too firm may actually be contributing to the problem. If you think your mattress may be too firm, try supporting your back and knees with pillows while you sleep. If this relieves pain, you may want to consider investing in a more back-friendly mattress.

Your office chair may also be contributing to the problem. If your chair isn’t supporting your back, you may need to swap it out for an ergonomic office chair. Because so many injuries are caused by poor work ergonomics, furniture manufacturers have designed products dedicated to supporting the neck and spine. Using an ergonomic chair that is adjusted to your body can make a significant difference in your back pain.


Experimental Treatments to Consider

If these lifestyle changes aren’t enough, you may need to seek more intensive treatment. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of experimental treatments available to back pain sufferers, including:

● Shiatsu Japanese Massage: Shiatsu, or Japanese Finger Pressure, is similar to acupuncture. However, instead of using needles, a masseuse will manually apply pressure to areas of high tension.

● Botox Injection: If a person is experiencing pain due to muscle spasms, Botox may be injected into the muscle to reduce spasms.

● Prolotherapy: Prolotherapy is the practice of injecting a solution into the back to promote cell and tissue regeneration. These injections may reduce inflammation and eliminate back pain.

● Radiofrequency Ablation: During this procedure, a doctor will insert a radiofrequency probe under the skin to shock the nerves. This will stop the nerves from sending pain messages to the brain.

● Vertebral Axial Decompression: This treatment works to decompress the vertebrae, joints, muscles, and ligaments. During a decompression treatment, a patient will be fastened to a mechanical table that comfortably stretches their spine.

● Intradiscal Electrothermic Therapy: During IDET, a doctor will insert a thin catheter into a painful vertebral disc. The doctor will then heat the catheter to seal any small tears in the disc. This will toughen the tissue and relieve pain.

While many of these treatments are effective, they can also be expensive. Because these treatments are considered experimental, health insurance may not cover the cost of treatment. Yet, for a person living with chronic back pain, these treatments are definitely worth looking into.

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