Chronic back pain is a medical condition in which pain in the back is ongoing, as opposed to pain that goes away after a brief period of time. Some causes of chronic back pain include spinal disorders or traumatic injury. Many people continue to have chronic back pain even after undergoing surgery for the condition. Fortunately, there are some tips available that may be able to help provide chronic back pain relief, including the use of medications, physical therapy, and moderate lifestyle changes.
Using heat or ice therapy helps to provide chronic back pain relief in many patients. If there has been a recent injury, applying ice to the affected area may be helpful. Placing an ice pack on the area of the back causing pain for about 15 minutes at a time three to four times daily can reduce the amount of inflammation and swelling and provide some degree of pain relief. After two or three days, the patient may begin heat therapy. Place a heating pad or warm compress on the affected area for the same amount of time and frequency that the ice pack was used in order to relax the muscles and make movement a little easier.
Over-the-counter pain medications can offer some chronic back pain relief. Ibuprofen reduces the amount of inflammation in the muscles of the back while easing the pain. If the pain is severe or does not respond well to these medications, the doctor may prescribe stronger medications such as narcotic pain relievers or muscle relaxants.
Gentle exercises are another option for chronic back pain relief. Yoga is often a good choice and has helped many patients find relief from constant pain. A physical therapist can help the patient decide which types of exercises are most effective and the least stressful for individual causes of back pain. Massage therapy is another good option, as it often helps the patient relax while the muscles are massaged.
If one or more discs of the spine have moved out of their proper location, a visit to the chiropractor may provide chronic back pain relief. Many patients have also experienced great results through the use of acupuncture. The most important thing to remember when considering methods of chronic back pain relief is to visit a doctor to make sure there are no serious medical conditions present that may require more invasive types of medical intervention.