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Use The Back Pain Therapies |
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The purpose of conservative treatment options, such as
back pain therapy, include:
1) Decrease muscle spasms
2) Reduce pain
3) Condition
the back
Assist in managing issues that are usually associated with
back pain (e.g., sleeplessness or depression)
There are two kinds of back pain therapy that an affected person may
undergo. But for purposes of this article, our focus would be on
physical back pain therapy as this type is more easily done by the
individual or with some help from friends or family. The other form of
back pain therapy is chiropractic or osteopathic which requires
assistance from a healthcare professional.
On the other hand,
physical back pain therapy is further divided into two classes – passive
physical therapy (involving modalities) and active (exercises for back
pain).
Passive Physical Back Pain Therapy
This class of
physical back pain therapy is called “passive” because it is done to the
patient, as opposed to the patient taking an active role in his healing.
The therapy requires the use of several modalities.
Heat/Ice
Packs – These are the most commonly used type of modality used in
passive physical back pain therapy. The degree of relief may depend on
several factors. Some patients find that heat packs work better at
reducing back pain while others consider ice packs as more effective.
Either of the two may be used and may be alternated.
Iontophoresis
– This involves the application of steroids to the skin. Electrical
current is added to cause the steroid to migrate under the skin where it
has an anti-inflammatory effect, thus providing relief for the patient.
TENS
Units – Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) unit applies
electrical stimulation to the back in order to modulate pain. The
stimulation overrides the painful signals that are sent to the brain.
Ultrasound
– A form of deep heating, this passive physical back pain therapy
applies sound waves to the skin where they penetrate into the soft
tissues. This method can relieve acute pain and may even speed up muscle
healing
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