When you suffer from back pain, every movement can hurt. Back pain can make it difficult for you to stay active and enjoy your life. Fortunately, your osteopathic doctor can help you get relief from back pain.
Back pain is a common problem. In fact, the National Institutes of Health states that 80 percent of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives.
Back pain can have several causes including:
A sports injury–golfing, tennis, football, and other sports can cause significant back stress, which can lead to back pain.
An accident–car, motorcycle, and biking accidents can all lead to a back injury and cause back pain.
Work-related stress–if you have a job that involves frequent heavy lifting and pulling, you may develop chronic back pain.
A medical condition–arthritis in your spine, a herniated disk, and nerve compression can all lead to chronic back pain.
Your back pain may also be related to a medical condition somewhere else in your body. Kidney and liver problems, cancer, and other serious diseases can have back pain as a symptom.
For mild back pain, you can try a few simple home remedies like these:
- Using an ice pack or moist heat on your back to relax your muscles
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication to relieve pain
- Resting and avoiding activities which can stress your painful back
For moderate to severe back pain, it’s best to visit your osteopathic doctor, who will begin with a thorough examination of your back, to check for obvious injuries or strain. Laboratory testing may be recommended to determine if there is an underlying condition causing your back pain. Imaging studies may also be necessary, to check for any injuries to your back.
After your examination, your osteopathic doctor will develop a customized treatment plan to help you get relief from back pain and prevent back pain in the future. Your treatment plan may include:
- Massage therapy to relax your back muscles and boost circulation to aid healing
- Electrical biofeedback to help you recognize when you are tense, so you can relax your back
- Physical therapy to strengthen your muscles, improve flexibility, and restore full range-of-motion
- Body movement and posture training to help you learn proper body mechanics and posture to avoid injury and back strain
- Medication which may include anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers to reduce swelling and lessen tension in your back muscles
You don’t have to suffer from back pain. Your osteopathic doctor can help you heal. To find out more about the causes of back pain and how osteopathic treatments can help you find relief, call your osteopathic doctor today.