What’s Good For Back Muscle Pain

How Can I Heal A Herniated Disc Naturally

Picture source: https://removebackpain.com

This is the conclusion. Herniated discs can be treated at home with proper nutrition, exercise, and therapy, depending on the severity of the condition.

The discs in your spine protect it from shock absorption by the vertebral column. A tough layer, called an annulus fibrosis, holds in the nucleus pulposis, a soft gel-like substance on the outside of the nucleus. When the inner gel herniates as the annulus tears, swelling or pressure on the spinal nerves can result. Sitting for extended periods of time increases the pressure inside the disc, so avoid it whenever possible. Walking may draw water and nutrients to your disc, making it healthier. Inflammation is reduced by taking supplements such as fish oil with 1,000mg of omega 3 and focusing on EPA. The use of these natural methods will allow your body to fight inflammation and thus allow you to heal faster.

Many people can treat herniations with nonsurgical techniques such as chiropractic care or physical therapy. If your symptoms do not improve after these treatments, your healthcare provider may advise you to have surgery. Surgery is typically the only treatment for herniation disks, but other options are available. The majority of cases can be treated without having to undergo surgery with nonsurgical methods such as chiropractic care.

How Is Back Muscle Pain Diagnosed

It is quite tough to notice a difference between a back muscle pain or a back pain caused due to ligament injuries as both have similar group of symptoms. Usually, the method of diagnosing the cause for both Back Muscle Pain and Ligament injuries are pretty much the same. Both of these conditions are commonly referred to as Back Strain or Musculoligamentous Strains. Since x-ray is not an optimal diagnostic tool to identify this condition, hence MRI is usually done to diagnose this condition, as it gives a clear picture of the internal structures of the back and it is easy to identify the problem area via the MRI scan.

Look Into Getting A New Mattress

How old is your bed? You may be surprised to learn that the average life span of a mattress is less than 10 years. Theres no hard-and-fast rule, says Sean Mackey, MD, PhD, chief of the division of pain medicine at Stanford University, but if your mattress is sagging significantly or is more than six to eight years old, Id think about getting a new one.

Something else to consider: A firm mattress may not do your back any favors, says Carmen R. Green, MD, a physician at the University of Michigan Back & Pain Center. A number of studies over the years suggest that people with lower back pain who sleep on medium-firm mattresses do better than those with firm beds, she says.

Read Also: Do Chiropractors Help With Lower Back Pain

What Can I Do To Help Relieve The Symptoms Of Back Pain

If you had an acute injury, use a cold pack for 20 to 30 minutes at a time for the first 48 hours or so. After that , you may find it helps more to alternate a cold pack and a heating pad. Keep one on the area for 20 to 30 minutes, and then switch. Take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen . Get plenty of rest and fluids.

If you see your provider, make sure you take all medications prescribed, get all of your testing done and attend all of your appointments.

Is Sleeping On Floor Good For Lower Back Pain

Spinal problems can be bone-related or spinal cord-related. Either way, if it’s something you have to deal with, sleeping on the floor is not recommended. Because you’ll be in an unusual position, things can get compressed and put pressure on nerves. This can either lead to pain, or it can lead to numbness.

Don’t Miss: Who To See For Lower Back Pain

The Best Muscle Relaxants

There is some evidence that Cyclobenzaprine , Carisoprodol , Methocarbamol , and Tizanidine work better than the other muscle relaxants.

According to one study:

• There is fair evidence that cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol, orphenadrine, and tizanidine are effective compared to placebo in patients with musculoskeletal conditions .

Symptoms Of A Pulled Back Muscle

Symptoms of a pulled back muscle depend on where the injury is. The spine is divided into three major sections: the neck, upper back and shoulders, and lower back.

For a pulled muscle in the neck, you might experience:3

• Pain in the neck and upper back area
• Limited range of motion in the neck
• Stiffness in the neck
• Pain radiating to the shoulders or arms

Pulled muscles in the shoulders and upper back may cause:

• Pain in the area between the spine and shoulder blade
• Muscle spasms in the upper back
• Knots and tightness in the upper back and shoulders
• Pain when moving the shoulders

In lower back strain injuries, many people experience symptoms such as:3

• Aching and stiffness in lower back muscles
• Pain that worsens with movement
• Pain that radiates to the hips and legs
• Limited range of motion
• Muscle spasms in lower back area
• Pain when sitting, standing, or walking

Don’t Miss: What Can Cause Upper Back Pain Between Shoulder Blades

Things You Should Know

Ideas about back pain have changed a lot over recent years. It is a good idea to read more about back pain as you may be surprised to discover that some of the things you thought were bad for the back are actually not a problem . Examples include:

• sitting is not bad for the back
• poor posture cannot injure the back
• the back is designed to bend, twist and lift
• moving and using the back makes it more healthy.

Read more at 10-facts-about-back-pain or 15 things you didnt know about back pain.

Heat Therapy And Cold Therapy To Help Back Pain

Heat therapy and cold therapy are two sides of the same coin. Heat therapy uses warm water or heating pads to relieve muscle pain, while cold therapy uses ice or cold water. In certain situations, using heat therapy and cold therapy can help relieve pain and promote healing.

For new or acute pain like pain caused by a fall or other pain that shouldnt last beyond six weeks cold therapy can be a great way to reduce swelling, decrease inflammation and numb pain.

For chronic pain pain thats expected to last or has lasted for more than six weeks heat is usually the temperature of choice for soothing pain and stimulating the healing process.

You might benefit from both hot and cold therapy. For instance, after exercise, immediate cold therapy can reduce muscle soreness. After 24 hours, switching to heat therapy can help your muscles heal faster.

You May Like: Does Heart Failure Cause Back Pain

What Are The Causes Of Back Muscle Pain

In most of the cases, Low Back Pain is caused due to irritation or inflammation of a muscle, joint, or ligament. Usually, these conditions arise due to muscle, ligament or joint strains as a result of repetitive bending or stooping, or lifting heavy objects. Repeated heavy lifting, improper lifting postures, sporting injuries where an athlete puts undue pressure on the back tend to cause excessive pressure on the muscles of the back resulting in Back Muscle Pain.

Natural Supplements That Might Relieve Back Joint And Muscle Pain

Pain in your back, joints, and muscles musculoskeletal pain is caused by a range of lifestyle and genetic factors. Treatments for that pain must be personalized for every patient, based on your level of inflammation, how you experience pain, other health conditions, and current medications.

Creating personalized treatment plans can be simultaneously the most rewarding and challenging aspect of my physical medicine and rehabilitation practice. Several natural, medicinal, and procedural pain treatments are available, and patients respond differently to all of them.

In the U.S., musculoskeletal pain management is beginning to incorporate more Eastern and Ayurvedic medicine, which focus on natural mind and body treatments using exercise, foods, or herbs, as a complement to Western medicine, which treats physical symptoms with medication or surgery.

While anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen can be effective for acute pain, long-term use can cause harmful side effects, including kidney and gastrointestinal damage. Some natural supplements can be highly effective for certain conditions, and some have fewer side effects. However, not all supplements are effective or safe for everyone.

Don’t Miss: Why Do I Have Pain In My Lower Right Back

How To Treat A Pulled Back Muscle In 8 Steps

A pulled back muscle can begin as a sudden, sharp pain when lifting or bending. Or it may appear gradually, getting progressively worse over several days. This common injury ranges from a minor inconvenience to an intense source of pain. It can take several weeks, and in some cases a few months, to heal.1

A pulled muscle is the common term for a strained muscle.2 A strain is a muscle or tendon injury that happens when the tissue stretches or tears. When a ligament stretches or tears, its called a sprain. Back pain, often due to a pulled muscle, is one of the most common issues health professionals treat.2 In most cases, you can manage and treat symptoms at home. But if the pain is unbearable or makes it difficult to move, see a doctor.

The Importance Of An Accurate Diagnosis

The physician will need to take a careful medical history and do a physical exam to look for certain red flags that indicate the need for an X-ray or other imaging test. In most cases, however, imaging such as X-ray, MRI , or CT scan is unnecessary.

There may also be certain clues in a patients medical history. Low back, nonradiating pain is commonly due to muscle strain and spasm. Pain that radiates into the buttock and down the leg may be due to , a condition in which a bulging disc presses on the sciatic nerve, which extends down the spinal column to its exit point in the pelvis and carries nerve fibers to the leg. This nerve compression causes pain in the lower back radiating through the buttocks and down one leg, which can go to below the knee, often combined with localized areas of numbness. In the most extreme cases, the patient experiences weakness in addition to numbness and pain, which suggests the need for quick evaluation.

A persistent shooting or tingling pain may suggest lumbar disc disease. A pain that comes and goes, reaching a peak and then quieting for a minute or two, only to reach a peak again, may suggest an altogether different cause of back pain, such as a kidney stone.

When tumor or infection are suspected, the doctor may order blood tests, including a CBC and sedimentation rate. .

Recommended Reading: What Causes Pain In Right Hip And Lower Back

Don’t Rest An Achy Back

Doctors used to prescribe bed rest for back pain. But now we know that lying still is one of the worst things you can do. It can make back pain worse and lead to other complications. Don’t rest for more than a day or two. It’s important to get up and slowly start moving again. Exercise has been found to be one of the most effective ways to relieve back pain quickly. Try swimming, walking, or yoga.

Age And Gender Issues

Age and gender are important factors to consider when diagnosing low back pain. In a young patient, a benign tumor of the spine called an osteoid osteoma may be the culprit. Inflammatory bowel disease in young people can be connected with spondylitis and sacroiliitis . Low back pain from disc disease or spinal degeneration is more likely to occur as people get older. Conditions such as abdominal aneurysm or multiple myeloma are also considered in older individuals.

Osteoporosis and fibromyalgia are much more common triggers of back pain in women than in men. Osteoporosis is a progressive decrease in bone density that leaves the bones brittle, porous and prone to fracture. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips.

Also Check: What To Do For Severe Back Pain

Remedies To Relieve Lower Back Pain Fast

by North Texas Medical Center | Jan 28, 2020 | Physical Therapy

We all want to know the best way to relieve lower back pain fast. At best, backache can be frustrating, perhaps draining. At its worst, this kind of discomfort can be utterly debilitating. If you have ever awakened with a terrible backache, you may have also learned how quickly such an ailment can derail your day, your week, or even several months or years.

Fortunately, there are remedies to combat that ache. From exercising to getting better sleep to reducing your stress levels, you can choose from a variety of strategies. The next time you have a backache , consider the following methods of back pain relief. Remember to discuss at-home back pain remedies with your doctor before you make use of them.

Causes Of Lower Back Pain

If youre wondering why your lower back hurts, youre not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , lower back pain may be the most common type of pain adults in the U.S. experience.

Like with other types of back pain, there are many causes of lower back pain, including muscle strain, herniated discs, repetitive motions and even bad posture. And youre more likely to deal with chronic low back pain if youre overweight, have a sedentary lifestyle or regularly lift heavy objects.

Also Check: What’s Good For Low Back Pain

Is It Good To Wear Belt For Back Pain

A: That’s not a good idea. A support belt can improve your posture and limit your movements, which can help calm pain. It can create abdominal pressure, easing the pressure around painful discs in the lower back. But if your wear the brace all the time, the muscles of your abdomen and lower back start to rely on it.

What Oil Loosens Muscles

As an alternative to Try Basil, you may be able to reduce inflammation and tension. It is used to treat inflammation and spasms in muscles. Black pepper oil, in addition to warming properties, is antimicrobial and pain relieving. The herb is said to relax muscles and reduce pain, as well as warming and soothing the body.

The Best Essential Oils To Use For Muscle Pain

It can be difficult to determine what essential oil to use and how to use it. Its a good idea to put them on your back neck to get them started. This exercise will relieve pain as well as lower muscle tension. Tea tree and eucalyptus oil are two of the most versatile oils, as they have the ability to help with a variety of health issues. Pure sesame oil is an excellent choice for those who want to boost their muscles. Pain is reduced, the skin is rejuvenated, and the muscles are toned and firmed.

Recommended Reading: Why Does My Lower Back And Legs Hurt

What Causes Back Spasms

There are a number of possible causes for back spasms:

• Not using your muscles enough. If you sit too much, have poor posture, dont exercise or rarely use your back or stomach muscles, those muscles can get weak and spasm.
• Using your muscles too much. Athletes and those who do a lot of heavy lifting may experience back spasms. Such activities can cause a muscle strain, which is a tear, and that can cause inflammation.
• Dietary issues. Back spasms can be caused by too little water, potassium and/or calcium in your diet.
• Mental/emotional health issues. Anxiety and stress can tense up your muscles.
• Trauma. You may injure your back in a fall or car accident.

Sometimes, your back spasms may mean that you have a serious condition, including:

• Epidural abscess.

• Spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis.

Can You Get Neuropathy In Your Back

Yes, you can get neuropathy in your back . Having neuropathy in your back can be wildly disabling, painful, and disruptive to your daily life. Identifying if you have this condition in your back can be difficult since there can be many causes of distressing back pain.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have neuropathy in your back:

• Sharp, shooting, stabbing, or shock-like pain radiating from your lower back into your legs
• Burning in your lower back and/or legs
• Pins-and-needles sensation in your back and/or legs
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs

Neuropathy in your back can be caused by nerve damage due to metabolic conditions , infections , trauma, injuries, inflammation, tumors, or toxins. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms to figure out the best course of action.

Read Also: What Does Constant Lower Back Pain Mean

Back Surgery For Severe Back Pain Relief

Back surgery is typically recommended when other, more conservative treatments arent able to help you feel better. Back surgery can be used to treat herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spine injuries and even severe lower back pain. When its done under the right circumstances and at the right time, back surgery can be an effective long-term solution for chronic back pain.

What Are Back Spasms

A spasm is when your muscles suddenly and against your will. They may painfully twinge, seize or contract. The muscles in your upper, middle and lower back are divided into three types: intrinsic/deep muscles, superficial muscles and intermediate muscles. Lower back spasms are more common, but any muscle can contract.

Don’t Miss: Can Depression Cause Pain In Back