Treat Low Back Pain

Almost everyone will experience pain in their lower back at some time in their life. There are many ways to treat low back pain and the first step in treating low back pain is to understand its cause.

While lower back pain can be severe, it is often treatable. The most common cause of lower back pain is due to a strain or sprain. This often occurs from lifting or twisting in a way that stretches the back in an unnatural way.

Low back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain begins suddenly and is usually triggered by a specific activity. Acute low back pain may last less than 3 months.

Chronic low back pain is often severe and may be ongoing for many months. If the back continues to be re-injured the acute pain may develop into chronic pain. The best way to treat low back pain is to get a diagnosis from an orthopedic surgeon or back specialist.

Your doctor may treat low back pain with non-surgical methods at first to see if there is improvement. For acute pain he may recommend applying ice for the first 24 to 48 hours. This will help reduce swelling and helps to relieve muscle spasms as well as pain.

After that, the way to treat low back pain is by applying heat to the location. These methods are often very comforting, especially for first time back pain. Another way the doctor may suggest you treat low back pain is by resting your back for several or more days.

Chronic back pain requires different treatments. A back specialist may treat low back pain that is chronic by using physical therapy. This may strengthen the back muscles to alleviate the pain. He may also suggest the use of a back brace for added support.