Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

As everyday expenses continue to rise, it’s important that we find ways to stretch our wallets and get the most for our money. Nobody wants to pay for a car repair or a medical treatment only to find that they are still dealing with the same issues three months down the road. And while we can’t speak to the health of your vehicle, we can play a pivotal role in the health of your spine. We want to help you find an effective low-cost way to manage or overcome your back issues. In today’s blog, we spotlight four cheap and effective methods for overcoming different spine problems.

Effective Low-Cost Back Pain Treatments

While many people will find that one or more of the following treatments will lead to some symptom improvement, for best results it is wise to connect with a spine specialist who can view your condition in person and develop an individualized treatment plan for your specific issue. With that said, here are some low-cost treatments you can pursue if you want to try and manage your back discomfort on your own without breaking the bank.

1. Exercise– Many people inherently err towards rest and spinal protection after an injury, and while that may be wise in the short-term, it’s rarely the best option over the long haul. For injuries like strains, sprains or disc issues, oftentimes some controlled low-impact exercises can strengthen key soft issues in the spine. Strengthening your spine and ensuring structures can better support the spinal complex can address a number of different spinal issues. You don’t need a costly gym membership in order to spend 20-40 minutes exercising a couple times a week, either. There are a number of simple exercise programs you can perform that will target key areas of your spine that you can find online or through your care provider.
2. Heat– Harness the power of heat to help manage certain spinal conditions. If your back injury is caused or worsened by a lack of healthy circulation, heat can be just what you need to find relief. A heating pad or heating topical creams can work to open up blood vessels and improve fluid movement in and out of specific areas of your spine, making it easier for structures to get the key nutrients they need from your blood supply. The nice thing about a heating pad is that you can use it at all times throughout the day. Whether you’re driving to work, at the office, watching television on the couch or lying in bed, you can utilize a heating pad to provide some symptom relief.
3. Physical Therapy– Physical therapy is similar to an exercise program, but you’ll work with a professional to perform some specific maneuvers based on your individual spinal issue. This oversight makes sure that you’re targeting the right areas and that you’re at a reduced risk of doing something that could actually serve to harm your spine. While physical therapy is costlier than other treatments on this list, it still is a relatively low-cost option that may be partially or fully covered by your health insurance, and it’s significantly cheaper than putting off treatment and eventually needing more hands-on care like surgery or a hospital stay.
4. Posture Improvement/Weight Loss– Finally, you may be able to find relief by really taking a look at how you’re stressing your spine throughout the day and working to counteract these issues. For example, poor posture ends up putting more stress on your cervical or lumbar spine, and over time this can serve to break structures down and cause symptoms to develop. Similarly, carrying excess weight will be felt by your whole body, but it’s the spine that is forced to help handle and disseminate this stress to other areas of the body. Losing just a little weight can end up taking an immense amount of strain off your spine. Be cognizant of your posture positioning and strive to make adjustments when you notice you’re out of alignment, and work to shed a pound or two a week, and soon you may find that your spine feels years younger!

For more tips on overcoming spine pain without breaking your budget, or for individualized help with your back pain problem, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

Comments are closed.