Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

As spine specialists, we’re here to help in any way we can if you’re dealing with new or worsening spine pain. We’d love to be your first line of defense when back pain develops, but we also understand that most patients would prefer saving a little time and money by treating their back pain on their own. However, most patients aren’t as well-versed in the best practices for managing back pain on their own, and that can lead to lingering or worsening spinal discomfort.

In an effort to prevent those issues and give you the tools you need to manage spine pain on your own, we’re using today’s blog to look at four common mistakes people make when trying to treat their back pain on their own.

Mistakes To Avoid When Self-Treating Back Pain

Here’s a look at some of the most common mistakes people make when trying to treat back pain without the help of a specialist.

1. Being Overly Protective – Short-term rest is wonderful in the immediate aftermath of a back injury, but for mild and moderate mechanical problems, you shouldn’t expect to just rest your way back to full health. Short-term rest should be followed by a gradual return to more physically demanding activities. It’s this activity that will help strengthen injured structures, restore lost flexibility and get you back to a more normal spinal function. Far too many people suffer an injury and then steer clear of activity for too long, and muscle atrophy ends up complicating the original issue because the body isn’t getting the activity it needs to aid in recovery.
2. Too Focused On Pills – Similarly, there’s no pill you can take that will get you back to full spinal strength on its own. Medications can play a pivotal role in your comprehensive treatment plan, but they shouldn’t be the main component of your treatment. Most over-the-counter medications simply mask the symptoms of the problem and fail to address the root cause, which doesn’t help you achieve long-term relief. Moreover, taking OTC medication for an extended period can lead to other health issues like liver or kidney problems or dependence concerns. The best spinal treatment plans focus on active interventions, like exercise, physical therapy and strength training while using passive techniques like rest, ice and medications to bridge the gap between active treatment sessions.
3. Putting Off Treatment For Too Long – Another common mistake people make is that they put off home-based treatment for too long. If you plan to treat your back issue at home, don’t wait until pain becomes chronic and unbearable, because at that point you would benefit from professional intervention. Take some simple treatment steps at home at the first signs of a back issue. Treating back pain is akin to putting out a fire; managing it when it’s small and contained is much easier than trying to control widespread and intense flames. Don’t put off treatment too long if you intend to manage it on your own.
4. Looking For Answers Without A Question – Back pain comes in all different shapes and sizes, and it’s important to try and make an educated diagnosis before you dive into every potential treatment you find on the internet. Treating back pain caused by a pinched nerve will be inherently different than treating back pain tied to a ligament tear or a vertebral fracture. Consider your symptoms and how the injury developed, and try to understand why you may be dealing with pain. Then, search for answers online based on what you believe you’re dealing with. You need to determine what you’re likely dealing with first before trying to find solutions to your pain. And of course, if you want professional assistance diagnosing your condition, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today.

Don’t make the same mistakes that so many others do when trying to care for their back pain at home. We want to help you overcome your back pain, but if you want professional assistance, know that we’re just one call away. For more information, give Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute a call today at (651) 430-3800.

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