5 Reasons Treatment Isn’t Working For Your Back Pain
Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
Everyone hopes that their treatment plan ends up taking care of their back pain, but unfortunately not everyone finds relief with the first strategy they try. Back pain is complex, so it makes sense that treating the problem isn’t always a straightforward process. Below, we take a closer look at five reasons why your treatment may not be providing relief, and what you can do about it.
Not Treating The Right Problem
One of the more common reasons why treatment isn’t working is because you’re treating the wrong condition, or you’re treating the symptoms of the problem and not the problem itself. One way to rectify this situation is to get a clear diagnosis from a spine specialist. If you’re trying to self-diagnose, you’re much more likely to end up treating a symptom or diagnose yourself with the wrong condition.
You Think Rest Is Best
Back pain may feel temporarily better if you’re sitting or laying down on the couch, but rest is not the best way to treat back pain. Instead, focus on some active treatment options that work to strengthen the spine and the supporting structures. Physical therapy or exercise may be uncomfortable, but they are much more beneficial for your back than doing nothing and hoping the problem goes away on its own.
Your Diet Is Inhibiting Treatment
Even if you are sticking to your physical therapy and rehabilitation plan, treatment involves more than just exercise. Pain conditions can be amplified if you’re overweight and putting more stress on your spine, or unhealthy diet choices can lead to the onset of inflammation in the spine, which can cause pain. A healthy diet is a very important part of your back pain treatment, so make sure you are getting a wide variety of vitamins and nutrients from your food sources, and ask your doctor if any supplements can help with your situation.
You’re Not All In
Treating back pain is a lot like a diet or training for a marathon – there are days when everything falls into place and you’re motivated to eat healthy or go for a run, and there are days when all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a pizza. You need to fight through those days where you’re lacking the motivation to complete your physical therapy or rehab plan. Sticking to your plan for a week then taking a week off does nothing for your spine. You have to make a commitment to always find time to perform your treatment routines. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it if you truly want to get better.
You Need Help
Finally, there comes a point in many care plans where it becomes evident that conservative care just isn’t doing the trick. At this point, you should talk to your doctor and learn about other treatment options, like spinal injections or a minimally invasive operation. Doctors have a number of tools in their arsenal to help you heal, so let them know if your treatment doesn’t seem to be working. Odds are they can switch courses and find something that fits your needs.
