It's hard to find someone who hasn't had back pain at some point in their life, isn't it? Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, your back feels stiff. Other times, you sprain your back while lifting something heavy. However, back pain is a very annoying thing. So today, let's talk about back pain, what treatments are available for it, and what we need to be aware of.
How can the doctor find the cause of this?
When you see a doctor for back pain, the first thing he or she will do is examine you thoroughly. They will examine your back to see how far you can bend it, how your back muscles are working, and whether there are any problems with your nerves. Sometimes, they may also do blood and urine tests to make sure there are no other conditions (such as kidney stones or infections).
Usually, a doctor will refer you for special tests if you have persistent pain, if your back hurts somewhere, if you have pain along with fever, or if you have neurological symptoms such as tingling in your hands and feet.
The important thing is that there is not always a direct correlation between the results of these test reports and the pain you feel. This means that you may not see a significant difference on the scan, but you may still be in severe pain. So don't be alarmed.
| Test | What are you looking for in this? |
|---|---|
| X-ray | Check for a spinal fracture or other problem. |
| MRI or CT scan | Check for herniated discs and muscle damage. |
| Electromyogram (EMG) | Identify the exact damage to nerves and muscles. |
Simple treatments you can do at home
For a minor sprain or muscle strain, the first thing to do is to rest for a day or two .
- For the first 24-72 hours: Apply an ice pack to the area of pain and swelling. This will help reduce swelling.
- After two or three days: Once the swelling has subsided, it's a good idea to apply heat ( a heating pad ) to the area. This will help relax the muscles and tissues and reduce pain.
- Painkillers: You can ask a doctor for a medicine such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.
- Sleeping position: If you have persistent back pain, sleep on a slightly firmer mattress. If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your knees. If you sleep on your back, placing a pillow under your knees can provide great relief for your back.
Let's also be careful about posture.
It is very important to be mindful of your posture throughout the day.
- Sit up straight: When sitting in a chair, sit as straight as possible. This will reduce the pressure on your back.
- Change your position frequently: Don't stay in the same position for too long. Get up and walk around every 20-30 minutes, stretching your body a little.
- When working on the ground: When gardening or sweeping the house, work with one knee on the ground. Or work while sitting.
Exercise and physical therapy are very important!
In the past, people were told to stay in bed and rest for back pain. But now doctors say that doing so can do more harm than good. Staying in bed can delay recovery and cause new problems.
Therefore, it is best to start with simple activities like walking after a few days. Then you can gradually return to your usual level of exercise.
Strengthening the abdominal and back muscles around the spine stabilizes the spine. Exercises like Pilates are great for this. Aquatic therapy is a great way to relieve back pain. The water supports your weight, making it easier to exercise. Yoga can help you become more flexible and strong, and it can also help you reduce stress and pain.
Physical Therapy (PT) is also a very effective treatment option. A physical therapist will design a treatment plan that is tailored to your condition.
| Type of treatment | Examples |
|---|---|
| Passive Physical Therapy - What the therapist does | |
| Manual therapies | Muscle massage, joint preparation. |
| Other | Heat/ice, electrical stimulation, ultrasound. |
| Active Physical Therapy - Things You Should Do Yourself | |
| Exercise | Stretching exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, and pain relief exercises. |
Medications and other treatments
If the pain is not controlled with regular painkillers, your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers or muscle relaxants . However, some of these medications can make you drowsy. Opioid painkillers are also more likely to cause addiction. Therefore, it is very important to always take these medications exactly as your doctor tells you, and only for the duration of your treatment .
Sometimes, medications such as antidepressants and steroid injections are used to treat nerve pain. Although these injections provide temporary relief, they can help pinpoint the cause of the pain and make physical therapy easier.
Surgery is the last resort
Most of the time, back pain does not require surgery. It is used as a last resort. Surgery is considered only if a disc in the spine protrudes and pinches a nerve, such as a ``Herniated Disk``, or if there is another serious condition in the spine. ``Diskectomy``, ``Laminectomy`` and ``Spinal fusion`` are some of the main types of surgery performed in such cases. Your doctor will explain this to you thoroughly.
Take-Home Message
- Back pain is very common, so don't be unnecessarily afraid.
- First, try simple treatments that you can do at home (rest, ice/heat).
- Staying in bed can make the problem worse. Start with simple activities like walking as soon as possible.
- Maintaining correct posture and doing the right exercises can prevent the recurrence of back pain.
- Always consult your doctor before using any medication. Never use other people's medications.
- If the pain is severe, does not subside within a few days, if your legs are tingling/feeling faint, or if you have difficulty controlling your urine/feces, see a doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
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