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There are different treatments available for different patients. There are many treatment options available for back pain but depending upon the cause and type of pain, you should go for the appropriate option. For some people back pain gets cured within a few weeks of home treatment and careful attention but some require medications and therapies to get out of the situation. Each treatment has its own way of treating the pain. Some of the commonly used treatment options available for curing back pain are:
Medications : Your doctor may prescribe some medications helpful in curing back pain. The most common ones are non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These block the substances that dilate blood vessels causing inflammation and pain. Some of the common NSAIDs are:
Over the counter NSAIDs including aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, Prescription NSAIDs including ibuprofen, naproxen, flurbiprofen, diclofenac, tolmetin, ketoprofen, nabumeton, dexibuprofen, indomethacin.
Topical NSAIDs including gels, creams and patches reduce arthritic pain and minimize the risk of gastrointestinal problems associated with oral NSAIDs.
Cortisone injections- It is an anti-inflammatory medication which helps in decreasing inflammation around the nerve roots.
Exercises: Exercise plays an important role in speedy recovery of back pain. Exercise helps the person to return to normal home, work and social activities. Some of the useful exercise programs beneficial in back pain are:
1. Low impact aerobic exercises- Exercise like swimming, bicycling and walking strengthens the muscles in the abdomen and back without overstraining the back.
2. Lumbar extension strength training- These exercises generally strengthen the abdomen, improve lower back mobility and endurance thereby enhancing the flexibility in the hip and hamstring muscles.
3. Yoga Tai Chi, Chi Kung- Their main aim is to achieve a physical and mental balance and to grant help in preventing recurrences of lower back pain.
4. Flexibility exercises- Certain flexibility exercise should be performed which help in back pain.
5. Retraining deep muscles- Some contraction exercises are especially designed to retrain the muscles which prove effective in acute and chronic pain.
Electrical Stimulation: This is done by TENS unit which stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It is a battery operated device in which electrical impulses are sent to certain parts of the body to block the pain signal.The electrical current produced is mild and prevents pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. It should be used under the supervision of a doctor or physical therapist. Electrodes are connected to the surface of the skin over or near the area where you are feeling pain.
Chiropractic care: Chiropractic flexion distraction technique is the most widely used approach in treating symptomatic disc injuries involving back pain. It uses a specialized table which gently stretches the spine and allows the chiropractor to isolate the disc involvement area while slightly flexing the spine in a pumping rhythm. No pain is involved in this treatment. Chiroprator's other technique, ''pelvic blocking'' is also beneficial in treating disc injuries and back pain.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture can also act as a healer for back pain. It helps the strained muscle to relax by putting an acupuncture needle in to a contracted muscle. It stimulates nerves in the thighs and legs thereby decreasing inflammation of the nerves in the lower back that are causing pain. Needles used are sterile, disposable and thinner than a pin. It uses specific acupuncture points for inserting these needles. This technique is effective in treating acute and chronic pain.
Surgery: Person with herniated disc needs surgical treatment for back pain cure. Surgery helps in unrelenting pain and muscle weakness caused by compression. Some of the types of back surgery are:
1. Laminectomy/ laminotomy- This involves removing the bony part of your spinal column. It helps in relieving pain caused by disc fragments that protrude in to your spinal canal.
2. Fusion- This involves joining two vertebrae to eliminate the painful movement.
3. Intradiscal electrothermal therapy- In this a needle is inserted in to the disk which is heated at a high temperature for 20 minutes. As a result, heat thickens and seals the disk wall thereby reducing the disk bulge and spinal nerve irritation.
4. Other surgeries include radio frequency nerve destruction and artificial disc replacement.
Physical therapy: Physical therapy also helps a lot in back pain. Physical therapy includes an exercise program guided by a professional who knows the special needs of back pain and also its limitations. This should not be performed by yourself otherwise it results in worsening of the pain.
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