Overview of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can come on suddenly or gradually, afford relief at times and be debilitating at other times. Low back pain is often associated with injury of the muscles, ligaments, and disc-related issues, and can last for a few days or become a chronic condition.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
The causes of lower back pain vary greatly, but common causes include:
- Strained muscles
- Sprains or strains of ligaments, the strong bands connecting bones at joints
- Ruptured disks
- Nerve compression
- Spinal stenosis
- Osteoarthritis
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What Research Recommends for Acute and Chronic Lower Back Pain Relief
To treat lower back pain, research recommends a combination of self-care treatments, medications, and physical therapies.
Self-care Treatments
Self-care treatments are an effective way to help alleviate lower back pain both acutely and chronically. These treatments include:
- Resting or reducing physical activities
- Warm or cold compresses
- Gentle stretching and massaging
- Light aerobic exercise followed by stretching
- Aquatic exercises
- Yoga
- Improved posture
- Psychological intervention
Medications
Medications can help reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and relieve pain. Common medications used to treat lower back pain include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Narcotics
- Muscle relaxants
- Steroid medications
Physical Therapies
Physical therapies can play an important role in treating acute and chronic lower back pain and involve the following:
- Heat therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Ultrasound
- Traction
- Exercise
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Interferential stimulation
Conclusion
Lower back pain is often painful, but can usually be managed successfully with an individualized treatment plan that combines self-care treatments, medications and physical therapies. The best combination of treatments will vary based on the individual’s specific condition.
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