How To Alleviate Chronic Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most debilitating discomforts known to man. But fortunately doctors and pain specialists have conducted a lot of research in recent years, so you don't have to live with chronic back pain like sufferers from the past. You can start by following some basic steps and treatments that can alleviate your back pain. If your back doesn't improve, you may need to get professional help. Untreated back pain can impede the healing process by affecting the immune system, according to Spine-health.com.

Physical Activity
Rest your back for several days and take the pressure off it. You should not avoid movement though as this may cause more harm in the long run. Exercise has recently been proven as the most effective activity to reduce and cure lower back pain. You can purchase a belt for support when you must lift objects or exert pressure on your back.

Take Pain Medications
Over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin can alleviate pain and reduce inflammation that causes pain. Check the bottle for the recommended dosage and use the medication throughout the day. If these medications don't help, see your doctor. He may prescribe a muscle relaxant or stronger pain pill until your pain improves.

Try Warm Baths
Warm water can serve as a soothing anodyne for back pain, especially in the lower back, where most back pain occurs. Lie in a warm tub of water for 20 to 25 minutes and continue to add hot water. You can also insert a wet cloth inside a heating pad for similar results.

Perform Stretching Exercises
Once your pain subsides, do some stretching exercises. For lower back pain, lie on the floor and pull one or both knees to your chest up to ten times. Press your back to the floor. Tense your buttocks. For middle or upper back pain, move your arms back and forth as you hold them up as if making a football goal post. Exercise strengthens muscles in the back which takes pressure off the injured area. 

If your back doesn't improve, you may need to see a pain specialist. Pain specialists can help pinpoint the source of your pain and prescribe the appropriate treatments for healing.

What to Know When Visiting a Pain Management Doctor

Living with chronic pain is a huge challenge. Millions of people of all ages deal with chronic pain every year. Around 25 percent of Americans have reported pain that has lasted longer than 24 hours. Some cases start after an injury or illness, but others start seemingly out of the blue. Common types of chronic pain include arthritis, migraines, shingles, and back and neck pain. Although pain management is a common problem, it can be difficult to know if or when you should see a doctor, as well as what to expect when you do schedule an appointment.

In general, you should contact a doctor if your pain is repeatedly interfering with your life or if it seems impossible to control. If the pain has lasted over three months or is causing sleeplessness, making an appointment with a pain management doctor will be worth your time. 

Meeting with your primary care physician is the first step toward treating your chronic pain. Depending on the severity of the pain, your physician may refer you to a pain management doctor. Pain management doctors specialize in treating chronic pain. Pain doctors come from other specialties, including psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, and anesthesiologists. Depending on their background, most doctors will specialize in a particular type of pain. 

Many doctors will firstly try a watchful waiting period of time. In this time, both you and the doctor will observe your symptoms without treatment. During the watchful waiting, the doctor may recommend taking pain relievers, getting more exercise, sleeping more, or other small changes. 

If these methods are unsuccessful, the doctor may choose to try other pain management techniques. These techniques vary greatly depending on the type and severity of the pain. Some methods include electrotherapy, muscle relaxants, injections, and superficial heating and cooling of the skin. The doctor may also recommend working with other specialists, such as physical therapists or counselors, to find the pain management method that best helps you.