Your Trusted Physical Therapy and Medical Rehabilitative Services Company Suggests Options for Treatment
How long have you been living with lower back pain? Was it brought on by an injury during a workout, accident or while playing a sport? Did it occur while doing a heavy household chore? Whether your lower back pain is structural, muscular or nerve related, it can be frustrating when it gets in the way of your work or lifestyle. Have you considered all the available options to address this pain? From conservative home remedies and medication to physical therapy or alternative medicine, there are several non-surgical solutions that you can explore. In fact, in most cases, lower back pain can be managed without surgical recourse.
Based on the type, severity, location and duration since when you are in pain, your treatment options may range from fairly simple to slightly complex. Here is a summary of the remedies that you may want to consider.
Have You Explored these Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain?
- Home Remedies: If your lower back pain is a recent occurrence, try to minimize extreme activities such as workouts or lifting anything heavy, and take a few days off from work. As surprising as it may sound, about 90% of the time, your pain will subside on its own, once you give your body the rest it deserves. In addition to the rest and recuperation, you could try the following home remedies:
- Get over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen.
- Try hot or cold fomentation for about 20 minutes, several times a day. Experts suggest that you use an ice pack for the first two days and switch to a heat pad thereafter.
- At times, inadequate or poor foot support may put pressure on your spine and aggravate lower back pain. Buy footwear that supports your foot and foot arch correctly. In the long run, consider custom orthotics.
- If possible, try to sleep on a different mattress for a few days and check if that gets rid of your pain, or at least gives you partial relief.
- Once your pain has reached a bearable level, you may want to start doing certain stretches, exercises or yoga poses that can stabilize your spine and strengthen your back muscles.
- Prescription Medication: If the lower back pain has persisted for more than four to six weeks, it’s time to make an appointment with a medical professional. Based on a thorough examination, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants, topical medicines or cortisone shots to give you immediate, short-term pain relief.
- Physical Therapy: Your doctor may give you a referral for physiotherapy, which includes ultrasound, active release therapy, electrical stimulation, or manual therapy techniques. After studying your case, the physiotherapist will identify and address the root cause to provide pain relief, prevent further injury or stress and help restore your active lifestyle.
- Alternate Treatments: While you may continue home remedies and or prescription medication, there is no harm in trying alternate treatments such as acupuncture or massage therapy. After all, any natural solution that promises relief from lower back pain is worth a try.
At Medical Rehabilitation Centers of Pennsylvania (MRCP), we have over two decades of experience in treating a wide range of conditions through physical therapy. We are focused on restoration of function and pain relief through a variety of techniques. Our qualified therapists create tailor-made treatment and rehabilitation plans, based on a comprehensive, multidimensional evaluation that helps them identify and treat the origin of your problem.
If you are exploring physical therapy in and around Philadelphia or the Greater Philadelphia Area, look no further than MRCP. To book an appointment, contact us at the location of your choice, or fill up our online form and we will get back to you soon.