Managing Chronic Back Pain

There are a few different ways of dealing with chronic back pain.

Back pain is a prevalent medical issue that has affected everyone at least once. Whenever back pain occurs, one can only think about how to get rid of it. Back pain is chronic if it persists for over three months.

Furthermore, there are a few different ways of dealing with chronic back pain:

Medication

Back pain can be managed or alleviated by using different medications. The most frequently used is aspirin, which belongs to the group of analgesics. There are also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that commonly require a physician's prescription. 

Different gels, creams, and sprays can also numb the pain, but just like any other pain medication, they do not treat the root cause, only manage the consequences. 

Heat and cold

Applying heat or ice to the sore area can also help with the pain, but they shouldn't be applied for more than 15 minutes. In addition, ice or heat applications must be spaced a few hours apart to prevent nerve and skin damage.

Change in posture

Even though it sounds obvious and easy, changing posture can make a significant difference. In the modern world, most jobs are done in front of a computer or require sitting in place for several hours straight. As a result, most workers also decide to spend their free time inactive. 

All that inactivity and immobility takes a toll on the spine. Some specialists suggest taking breaks every thirty minutes to stretch or fix the posture, increasing blood flow and reducing back pain.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is another way of increasing blood flow to weak areas. Physical therapy is often considered a complementary measure to manage pain during or after other treatments. In some cases, physical therapy can restore mobility and fix the issue for good. Therapy can be a long-term process and continuously updates based on the patient's condition and progress.

Physical therapy can be active or passive. Active physical therapy involves doing different exercises suggested by a physical therapist or physician. Passive exercises in physical therapy are the ones that are done with the help of the physiotherapist. During passive exercises, the therapist slowly improves the patient's range of motion by manipulation.

Depending on the cause of chronic back pain and the patient's overall state, the physical therapist will assess and evaluate the spine's condition and know what type of physical therapy is the most suitable for the situation.

Explore physical therapy

If you are experiencing back pain that worsens or does not seem to stop for weeks, do not hesitate to seek professional advice. Finding the appropriate treatment that will be the most effective for your condition is essential.

If you are looking for occupational or physical therapy, vestibular rehab, wheelchair training, learning to walk, unweighting aquatic therapy, or other services in the Phoenix area, please call Touchstone Rehabilitation at 602-277-1073.