5 Tips For Treating Chronic Back Pain
Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
Spine pain can be broken down into two specific categories: acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is caused by a specific moment of injury, and because of this, it is often the easier of the two to treat. Chronic pain is pain that returns or goes unresolved for at least 12 weeks. Treating chronic back pain is difficult, but the process can be made easier if you know the best ways to handle it. We share five tips for helping relieve chronic back pain in this blog.
Go to a Spine Specialist
Your body is a remarkable structure in that it can help heal itself, but not all problems will go away with rest and the passage of time. The best way to prevent against the onset of chronic back pain is to go to a spine specialist’s office and get a comprehensive diagnosis. Once complete, they’ll be able to set you up with a treatment plan tailored to your exact situation.
Exercise
You might think that rest is the best option for preventing chronic pain flare ups, but activity can actually be more beneficial in a number of cases. Exercise helps to strengthen muscle groups and fight back against the onset of inflammation, which is a common cause of chronic back pain. If normal exercise is too strenuous and painful, but for less impactful exercises, like an elliptical or water-based activities.
Anti-Inflammatories
As we alluded to in the above point, recurrent inflammation is a common trigger for chronic back pain. NSAIDs and anti-inflammatory agents can help to prevent against inflammation, but since it is a passive treatment option, it shouldn’t be your only method of care. Pair it with exercise or another active treatment modality.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a great way to prevent chronic pain flare ups because it targets the specific points of issue in your body. A spine specialist can usually set you up with a physical therapy routine after a diagnosis, otherwise if you know what you are dealing with, you may have success performing and online search for a PT routine.
Mental Mindfulness
Chronic pain is a physical ailment that has surprisingly strong psychological ties. If you’re dealing with a lot of stress or anxiety in your life, it can actually trigger a chronic pain reaction. Some people find that their chronic back pain is quelled if they focus on improving their mental and psychological health. Mindfulness-based activities like yoga, Tai Chi or meditation can help improve both your mental and physical health.
