What is the best treatment for back pain? Good question! It depends on the type of back pain. There are three main types of back pain: Lumbar dysfunction syndrome, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. A combination of physical therapy, back pain treatment massage, and chiropractic care can be beneficial in treating each of these conditions. Here we have enlisted different types of treatments for back pain that are widely practiced these days.
Medications
There are many types of treatments that have been proven over time to be effective. One of these is meds, and there are several types of drugs that are used to treat back pain.
The most popular medication is ibuprofen or similar anti-inflammatory drugs. They work by reducing inflammation in your body that is causing the pain. Managing your levels will also reduce the chances of the pain coming back, and is a great first treatment for back pain.
The most common medications for back pain include muscle relaxants, like Soma and Flexeril; NSAIDS, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil); and pain relievers from the opiate family, such as Vicodin and Oxycontin.
Do note however that these medications come with a wide range of side effects including dizziness, headaches, nausea, constipation, and more.
Physical Therapy
Other potential treatments include power-based therapy and physical therapy. Physical therapy (PT) is a very effective treatment for back pain. It is a well-established technique for treating back pain, which can be an important part of your recovery.
Physical therapy is one of the leading treatments for patients with low back pain, neck pain, and sciatica.
Surgical Procedures
Surgical procedures include lumbar spinal fusion, discectomy, disc replacement, and anterior or posterior spinal column to mine. Surgery is considered only if conservative treatments have failed to relieve pain and disability.
Cortisone Injections
Cortisone injections are a common treatment. They can be helpful if the pain is caused by friction where a sacroiliac joint or vertebral body is out of place. In other cases, they are not useful at all and do more harm than good. Cortisone does not help get rid of the pain quickly; it takes weeks to months to start working.
Cortisone injections are a common treatment for chronic back pain. When they’re used correctly, it’s one of the most effective treatments that exist.
But many people also believe that once you have a cortisone injection, your symptoms will never return.
This is false.
Cortisone is not intended to be a cure. It needs to be administered along with other treatments or it can have very serious consequences.
Radio Frequency Neurotomy
Neurotomy means cutting painful nerves in the spinal cord.
Using radiofrequency neurotomy to treat chronic back pain offers many advantages. Radiofrequency neurotomy is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed using a local anesthetic.
Patient satisfaction levels are high, impressive outcomes have been reported, and there are no significant side effects.
Bottom Line
Back pain is a common ailment that can affect anyone, regardless of age or sex. In many cases, taking a short period of rest and the over-the-counter pain relievers is enough to comfort and overcome the pain.
However, there are instances when one might be prescribed prescription medications and additional treatments like acupuncture, massage therapy or spinal injections. We suggest consulting a professional before going for any kind of treatment.
Related Article: What is Acupuncture and How Does It Help?
