Back Pain Treatment


In the good old days - or were those the bad old days - back pain treatment consisted primarily of pain killers and bed rest. After the common cold, back pain is the most common cause of absenteeism from work, so the recommendation to go to bed and rest in the past was welcomed by exhausted and / or lazy executives.

But things have changed - narcotic pain killers and bed rest are rarely recommended (although both have their place. For instance, a slipped disc requires immobilization and complete best rest while chronic back pain in the infirm and elderly can be eased tremendously by supervised drug treatment.)

Surgery, too, is these days a last resort. Figures indicate surgery as a form of back pain treatment is necessary in only 1% of back pain cases. Many studies show that traction, x-rays and facet joint injections are far less effective than back exercise programs like water aerobics or specialized back pain exercises.

Modern back pain treatment favors an active but gentle approach that includes plenty of mild exercise as well as active and passive physical therapy, manipulation and massage.

The objective of exercise is to create strong, flexible muscles that can support the spine. Strengthening and stretching exercises encourage the body to heal itself and to be fit and supple enough to help avoid further sprain, strain or injury. A weak back needs to avoid further injury at all costs.

Long term back pain treatment in the form of a professionally created exercise program goes hand-in-hand with short-term back pain management. This means learning how to ease your current back pain as well as develop long-term good back health in a three step program (recommended for both chronic and acute backache).

Step 1: Ease pain immediately with warmth and pain killers.

Step 2: Use recommended back pain treatments in the form of exercise, therapy and / or massage.

Step 3: Sleep or rest on a good quality, firm mattress and practice good posture, particularly at work and at times when you don’t get an opportunity to move around a lot, e.g., in front of the TV. In the long term, treat your back with the same diligence and due respect as you do your hair, nails, eyes, feet, etc.

The good news is that professionally recommended back pain treatment is effective in most cases and back pain treatment can be incorporated into your individual lifestyle with ease.

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