The 3 R’s for back pain relief

Lower back pain can be caused by various conditions, including tissue damage, arthritis or sciatica. Luckily, there are several solutions that can lead to relief in no time.
Pain is really just a generic symptom when your body tissues are under physical stress. Lower back pain can be a sign of back muscle, nerve or bone damage or reflective of developing underlying conditions such as sciatica, arthritis and osteoporosis. Obesity, weight gain during pregnancy, stress, poor physical condition or sleeping positions are just some of the factors that can contribute to back pain.

Luckily, lower back pain treatments generally target one of the following areas for pain relief, so you can try some of these out while your doctor determines the exact cause:

1. Restore your strength

Restoring your back’s strength and function is a great treatment option. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to get relief for back pain. Gentle stretches and strength building exercises with or without the help of a physiotherapist can help you build muscle strength, not only in your back but also abdomen for effective support. Looking sculpted and toned is just an additional bonus of this treatment option.

2. Reduce inflammation

If the cause of your back pain is inflammatory, then any mild inflammation may be reduced through the application of hot and cold compresses. It is suggested that a cold compress should be applied as soon as possible after the injury, several times a day. After a few days, a hot compress may be applied to the affected area to relax the muscles and increase blood flow. If the tissue inflammation is more serious, your doctor may need to prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, which will help to relieve the pain.

If the above two options are not applicable to you, as in a case where exercise might not be possible, there are other ways to treat your lower back pain. Over-the-counter or prescription painkillers may be available, depending on the cause of your pain. Additional alternative therapies such as acupuncture or chiropractic spinal manipulation may also be of help in instances where skeletal alignment is part of the cause of pain.

The three R’s are a great place to start when getting help for your lower back pain. Lower back pain can result in various degrees of immobility and symptoms. If they do not subside after a few days of self-management, make an appointment with your doctor.