Ways To Treat Chronic Back Pain Without Surgery
Back pain is considered chronic if it lasts three months or longer. It cancome and go, often bringing temporary relief, followed by frustration.Dealing with chronic back pain can be especially trying if you dont knowthe cause.
Back pain rehabilitationspecialistAndrew Nava, M.D., offers insights into common chronic back pain causes and nonsurgicaltreatment optionsand advises not to give up hope.
Pms Symptoms And Causes
PMS symptoms usually start 7 to 10 days before menstrual flow begins and end shortly thereafter. PMDD is the term used to describe severe PMS symptoms. This conditions follows the same cycle and range of symptoms, but produces a more debilitating outcome. But even for general PMS, some months PMS symptoms can be worse or better than others.
Possible symptoms of PMS include:
- Acne
- Consuming alcohol and caffeine, which may alter mood and energy level
- Eating too many salty foods, which can cause fluid retention and bloating
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
Other health conditions that share symptoms with PMS include anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, endocrine system problems, irritable bowel syndrome , and menopause. Your doctor might check to see if one of these other issues are at the root of your symptoms.
The good news is if you can improve your diet, manage stress and take some of the suggested natural remedies, you can greatly learn how to reduce PMS symptoms and get rid of period cramps.
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Medical Solutions For Stomach Cramps & Aches
Take bismuth subsalicylate. This works as an antidiarrheal, so if you have the runs this is what you should take. Pepto-Bismol is the most common brand, but you can find other brand names with similar ingredients sold over-the-counter at the drug store.
Take simethicone. If you feel bloated, stimethicone is an over-the-counter anti-bloating remedy that should help clear out any excess gas.
- To find out if gas is your problem, try massaging your stomach and listening for gurgling sounds. Hear them? You probably have some excess gas in there. Simethicone can help clear it out.
- You can also use this medication if you have stomach pain after eating.
Take anti-inflammatory medications. Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory to ease stomach pain. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen decrease swelling and pain.
Take an over-the-counter antacid. Take an antacid to neutralize the acidity in your stomach if you feel the stomach ache is related to indigestion or you are experiencing heartburn.
- Tums and Milk of Magnesia are the most common brands, but you can find other brand names with similar ingredients at the drug store.
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Causes Of Lower Back Spasms
Back spasms can be the result of injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, or they can be related to more serious medical conditions. Heavy lifting is a common cause of back spasms.
In addition to heavy lifting, any activity that puts excessive strain on the muscles and ligaments in the lower back can cause an injury. Sports such as football and golf can lead to back spasms because they demand that the back turn suddenly and repeatedly.
Your back muscles may be more vulnerable if you have weak abdominal muscles, which help support the back. Weak or stiff muscles in the back itself can be injured more easily than muscles that are stronger and more limber.
Back spasms may occur if you have arthritis or a ruptured disc in your spine. Arthritis in the lower back can put pressure on the spinal cord, which may cause pain in the back and the legs. A ruptured or bulging disc in the vertebrae may also pressure a nerve and result in back pain.
How To Get Rid Of Lower Back Pain That Causes Leg Cramps
A healthy diet will ensure that your baby receives all the nutrients he needs from the very beginning.
Healthy eating will improve your mental alertness, your immunity against disease and illness, and your general well-being.
Healthy eating does not only promote physical health but mental health as well.
The ability to concentrate and focus better is one of the benefits that you get from a good diet.
Regular exercise will prevent the development of low back pain and leg cramps as well as improve your mobility, coordination, and balance.
Taking multivitamins on a regular basis will provide the vitamins and minerals essential to good health and to ward off diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart problems.
If you have a poor diet and have low iron levels, leg cramps could occur at any time.
Iron plays an important role in blood clotting and is essential in the transfer of oxygen to different parts of the body.
Without iron, circulation is impaired leading to cramps and other types of discomfort.
In addition, a low iron level in the body could result in weak bones and muscles, making it more difficult for you to walk and limber up.
Treatments
Taking herbal supplements that have a diuretic effect can also help treat leg cramps.
There are several herbs that have diuretic properties, which means that they encourage urination.
Herbs such as witch hazel, hyssop, and aloe Vera can help to alleviate cramps because they reduce the inflammation and pain associated with them.
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Stretching For A Back Muscle Spasm
Ultimately, the best thing you can do for a back muscle spasm is stretch, says Dr. Loren Fishmen, a physical medicine, and rehabilitation specialist in New York.
Though generally not serious, back muscle spasms often baffle doctors and family members, he says. This is because even though they likely produce little movement or support, muscles in spasm are hard at work as such, they require oxygen and nutrient delivery as well as waste disposal.
But contraction clamps down on blood vessels through which these substances pass, limiting the exchanges that can occur. Instead, acid builds up in your muscle which can hurtand makes for more spasm. It’s a vicious cycle until you can relax the muscle, he says.
Other ways to release the muscle, according to Fishman, include hot baths, gentle massage, and hot packs. The idea, he says, is to dilate the blood vessels and speed tissue repair.
What Are The Most Common Lower Back Surgery Procedures
Spine surgery is not necessary for most people who have lower back pain. If you do need it, your doctor will recommend an appropriate procedure to address your specific symptoms and medical situation. Common spine surgeries include:
Spinal Fusion. Two or more vertebrae are permanently fused together to limit excess spinal motion. Your surgeon will use a combination of bone, bonelike material, screws, plates and rods to hold the vertebrae together so they can heal into a single unit. Spinal fusion may be done to correct spinal deformities or to increase the spines stability in severe cases of spinal osteoarthritis or herniated discs.
Laminectomy and laminotomy. Laminectomy is a surgery in which your surgeon removes the back portion of one or more vertebrae to create more space for the spinal cord or other nerves. In people with severe arthritis, bone spurs within the spinal canal can grow large enough to press on the spinal cord, causing pain and limiting mobility. In a similar surgery known as laminotomy, your surgeon will remove a small piece of bone called the lamina from the back of the vertebra.
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If Your Stomach Hurts Because You’re Stressed
The remedy: Go for a walk
It’s not unusual to feel your stomach doing flips before a first date, a big presentation at work, or another stressful event. “The gut-brain connection is very strong,” says Vijaya Rao, MD, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor at The University of Chicago Medicine. “When you’re stressed, the nerves in your GI tract become more hypersensitive, so you might get cramping or become nauseated.” It’s not always easy, but the best Rx really is to chill out. Go for a walk, talk to a friend, or do some deep breathing, Dr. Rao suggests.
Ice Pack To Get Rid Of Lower Back Pain Fast
Whenever we come across any sort of injury, applying ice to the affected area is the best option. An ice pack will give relaxation to the muscles and the ligaments. Make sure you dont apply hot water bag as it can make the situation pathetic. In order to get rid of lower back pain all you need to so is:
- Take an ice bag and fill it with crushed ice.
- Apply this to the affected area and try to relax.
- Repeat this after 4 hours for quick results.
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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain usually gets better with rest and pain relievers. Back pain that doesnt go away may be a sign of a more serious condition.
See your provider if you have:
- Pain that doesnt get better after about a week of at-home care.
- Tingling, numbness, weakness or pain in your buttocks or legs.
- Severe pain or muscle spasms that interfere with your normal activities.
- Fever, weight loss, bowel or bladder problems or other unexplained symptoms.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Millions of people live with low back pain. Stiffness, pain and limited movement can have a major impact on quality of life. But you may be able to avoid lower back pain by maintaining a healthy weight and staying active. Talk to your provider if back pain doesnt go away or if youre unable to do the activities you enjoy. Several treatments can relieve pain, help you move better and get more out of life.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/18/2021.
References
Stop Your Activity And Find Immediate Rest
This may already make sense, but many of us prefer to keep moving. Some professionals actually recommend that you stay in motion, but if you are the unfortunate one to have a disc or nerve problem, then that is poor advice. You may end up visiting them for that instead.
Dont try to actively work or move until you know the source of the injury.
A very common reaction is to keep moving but MAY be dangerous. Although this might feel helpful, it is important to determine whether your pain is more than just muscular in nature.
Why you should NOT move:
Moving when you have any of these injuries can cause further injury, intensifying the pain.
If you have a history of ANY of these injuries or suspect that your lifestyle may contribute to it , then rest is a better than simply muscling through it with medication.
Lastly with this first tip, you should know that you should also apply this caution to not just your back but also to your hips, knees and neck.
Forcing yourself to move when these areas are injured can be very risky. Make sure that you arent adding to the pain. The wrong movement can set you behind.
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Low Back Pain From Osteoarthritis
Typically, the low back pain is most pronounced first thing in the morning. Throughout the day, normal movement causes fluid to build up in the joint and it becomes better lubricated, which decreases the pain. Later in the day the pain typically becomes worse again as more stress is applied across the joint.
How Your Back Works
The spine, which is also called the backbone or spinal column, is one of the strongest parts of the body and gives us a great deal of flexibility and strength.
Its made up of 24 bones, known as vertebrae, one sitting on top of the other. These bones have discs in between and lots of strong ligaments and muscles around them for support. There are also the bones in the tailbone at the bottom of the back, which are fused together and have no discs in between.
On either side of the spine, running from top to bottom, are many small joints called the facet joints.
The spinal cord passes inside the vertebrae, which protect it.
The spinal cord connects to the brain through the base of the skull and to the rest of the body by nerves that pass through spaces between the bones of the spine. These nerves are also known as nerve roots.
As you grow older, the structures of your spine, such as the joints, discs and ligaments, age as well. The structures remain strong but its usual for your back to get stiffer as you get older.
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Preventing Lower Back Spasms
When a person experiences one muscle spasm, they may be more likely to experience another. Maintain good back health to reduce future spasms.
Use the following methods to protect the lower back:
- maintain good posture throughout the day
- keep up a good sitting posture when spending long times at a desk
- use a medium-softness mattress
- lift heavy objects with the legs, not the back
What To Do About Lower Back Pain
Most of the time lower back pain is a result of daily stress and weak muscles. Sometimes it is a spasm caused by an accident or just putting on your socks in the morning.
You might start with some tried and true home remedies like ice, massage, or over the counter medications, then modify your exercise routine and lower the intensity of your work out. Pay careful attention to the pain when it happens, and what you are doing. If the pain gets worse or doesnt go away within 72 hours, a trip to see one of our physicians at OrthoNY may be in order.
If this is indeed a chronic issue, you may already have a physical therapist you can turn to for help. The worst thing you can do is to ignore it or think you can work it out.
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How To Get Rid Of Period Cramps Naturally
A lot of women have their own ways of dealing with tough menstruation cycles and PMS symptoms, from tips handed down by mom to turning to medications. And if those work for you awesome!
But if youre looking for some new, natural ways to combat that painful time of the month, then this is the list for you. From essential oils and Epsom salts to fish oil and your favorite tunes, these methods for how to get rid of period cramps will help ease period pain so you can live your best life all month long.
1. Try acupuncture.
When youre in pain, the idea of getting pricked by needles probably doesnt sound too appealing. But acupuncture, a type of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for more than 2,000 years to treat chronic pain and can be especially effective during a hard-to-handle menstrual cycle. In fact, one small study out of Australia and New Zealand found that acupuncture treatment can ease period pain, including secondary symptoms like headaches and nausea, in women.
The pilot study of women ages 18 to 45 years old had them undergoing one of four types of manual or electro-acupuncture treatments over three menstrual cycles. Half of the women experienced at least a 50 percent reduction in the severity of their symptoms over three months of being treated with acupuncture and reported they were able to use fewer painkillers to treat pain.
2. Take a hot bath with Epsom salts.
3. Get a dose of extra-virgin olive oil.
4. Try fish oil supplements.
5. Get more sleep.
Ii Take The Proper Dose Of Pain Medication
Be careful regarding the risks of relying on painkillers. It is a risk when it is your go to so thats why its not recommended until now and ONLY sometimes.
If the pain is severe and mobility is difficult, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory or anti-spasmodic medication may be required. Use with caution and only if needed.
There will be times when a muscle relaxant may seem like the only effective method. Please use caution as these drugs along with other relaxants have their side effects.
Medication will only address the pain, not the source. By not treating the cause, your spasm is very likely to return.
Numbing effect
Pain medication also has a numbing effect . The effect can mislead you to believe that your symptoms have been treated when in reality, you simply cannot feel them. Desensitization may allow you to prematurely return to the activity or lifestyle that may have caused your spasm.
I have heard a lot of people do this too often only to end up with both permanent soft tissue and bone injury. If you numb these areas with drugs, they cant warn you anymore.
When these nerves have become temporarily desensitized, you are more likely to re-injure yourself without your awareness.
Minimize your dosage
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Drink Water To Calm Down The Body
While in class and the cramps are distracting you, drink a sip or two of water to calm down the body.
Drinking water immediately helps relax the muscles and decrease the severity of cramps. In general also, during periods, drink plenty of water so that the toxins are flushed out of the system early and you have a happy time in coming days.
Thus, you suffer cramps but for a smaller duration. Drinking water also helps keep vaginal infections caused during periods at bay.
Use Back Support To Limit Stress On Your Back
When resting in bed, you may find that the most comfortable position is on your back with pillows placed under your knees and a rolled towel or small pillow placed in the small of your back. Also, when sitting in a chair use a back support cushion to maintain a better posture. This helps to support the natural curvature of your back, and takes pressure off the lower back by providing additional support to the area.
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