Four Ways to Overcome Chronic Back Pain Without Surgery
Everyone must have experienced back pain, either because of an injury, wrong posture, or other causes. Usually, this backache resolves on its own after a few days, but if you experience chronic back pain, the pain sometimes does not go away for months, so surgery is often the solution. But we can also deal with chronic back pain without needing to go to the operating table?
What is Chronic Back Pain?
Chronic back pain is back pain that lasts for three months or more. The pain is usually more severe than acute back pain which can disappear on its own after a few days.
Patients with chronic back pain are sometimes recommended for surgery if the back pain is caused by a tumor, infection, or nerve root syndrome.
How do you deal with chronic back pain without surgery?
The methods below prove effective for chronic back pain, reduce pain, strengthen back muscles, and make it easier for you to move. Keep in mind that these methods cannot completely cure or eliminate the source of your pain if your back pain is caused by a tumor, infection, or nerve disorder. But you can still apply this method if you only want to deal with the pain.
Hot or Cold Compress
Your back can feel better with hot or cold compresses, or even both. Warm compresses can increase the size of blood vessels and increase blood flow that contains oxygen to the back so that it can reduce muscle stiffness. Cold compresses will reduce the size of blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the vertebrae, thereby reducing inflammation.
Taking Medicines
Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs sold in conventional stores can be used to treat back pain. Here are two medicines that can treat back pain: Analgesics, Antidepressants, and Muscle relaxants. However, always pay attention to instructions for use, dosage, and side effects that may arise due to the use of these drugs.
Practicing Sports
If you experience acute back pain (occurring in a short period) due to an injury or a wrong position, you are usually prohibited from exercising first until back pain heals because it is feared that it will make it worse. But if your chronic back pain lasts for months, exercise can reduce pain, restore the function of body movements, and lead to painless frequent relapse.
There are four types of exercise recommended for people with chronic back pain, but you should consult your doctor before starting one of these sports:
- Flexion: bend your back forward to reduce pressure on the nerves and strengthen muscles in your back and hips.
- Extension: bending your back. You can do this by lying down and lifting your butt until your back curves backward.
- Stretching: aims to stretch the back muscles and other tissues such as ligaments and tendons. This activity can reduce back stiffness and limited motion.
- Low-impact conditioning: examples of walking, cycling, and swimming, and aiming to increase your heart rate so that more oxygen is pumped into your blood. Be careful though, avoid sports and movements that make you turn your back, such as dancing. This can put pressure on the disk and make pain worse.
Investing in Furniture That Can Alleviate Back Pain
More expensive chairs or those that are ergonomic benefits are the best purchases. They will help your body when you sit at your desk, even help those with back problems when. If you have to sit still at your desk for a long time, make sure you choose your office chair wisely. You will sit in your chair while you work, so you want to be comfortable and safe.
At home, you can invest your money on furniture like zero gravity chair, massage chair, and lumbar back pillows. However, do little research first.…