All You Need To Know About Back Pain Treatment

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has recently reported that more than 3.5 million Australians suffer from back problems. In recent times it has become the third leading health problem after cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It is most common among those who are between the ages of 65 and 79. The general physicians are now concerned about the increasing number of cases in younger people as well. Two leading factors, as per the doctors, are obesity and long working hours. Back pain treatment can include physiotherapy, medication, massage therapy, rehabilitation therapy and adverse case surgery.

Understanding The Meaning Of Back Pain

Back pain can occur in the lower, middle or upper back because of an injury, changes in the spine or repeated strain. Degeneration of the spine, pressure on the nerves in the spine or narrowing of the canal through which the spinal cord passes can result in back pain. To get the right back pain treatment, it is essential to understand the structure of the spine and the reason for the pain.

There are around 33 bones also known as vertebrae along with connective tissues passing through the skull to the pelvis. The spinal cord runs in a channel through the vertebrae. There is a disc in between every bone in the spine that acts as a cushion.

Common Reasons For Back Pain

• Poor posture: It is one of the leading ideas of back pain. Slouching while sitting, reading or watching television can cause chronic back pain.
• Overexertion: Long working hours or playing for long durations can lead to back pain. If you do not take care of it in the initial stages, it can lead to significant health problems.
• Lighting heavy objects: We often lift heavy objects in our day-to-day life. While pulling, pushing or carrying anything substantial can strain the back muscles leading to inflammation or tear. It may take an extended period to recover from such pain.
• Poorly designed furniture: Bed, chair, stool or anything that you sit on should have an ergonomic design to support the back. If it is not designed correctly, it will not provide the proper support to the backbone.

Diagnosis Before Back Pain Treatment

As back pain can be the result of a combination of different factors, the doctor needs to consider all aspects so that he can recommend the right treatment. If pain killers are not effective even after a course of five to six weeks, you must get scans done such as X-Ray, CT scan, and MRI, etc. An X-Ray can provide information about any instability in the spinal structure, tumors or fractures. CT scans and MRIs can provide information about bone structure and nerve damage.

Pathways For Back Pain Treatment

Depending on the cause and severity of the back pain, the doctor may ask you to consult a pain management specialist. Some of the most non-drug pain management systems include hot and cold pads, physiotherapy, exercise, behavioural modification, and more. In case such treatments do not work, the doctor can recommend a mix of medication and non-drug pain management. Most of the cases get better with such combination and proper rest. In the case of acute pain, the doctor may recommend narcotic medication as well. If nothing works, the last resort will be surgery which is suggested only in adverse conditions.

If you have back pain in any section of the backbone, please consult your doctor for back pain treatment. Some home remedies may work, but it is essential to consult a doctor before starting them as well. The backbone supports your whole body, and you should not ignore any pain. If the doctor suggests a change in posture or furniture, you should do it immediately.