What Are The Treatments For Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain usually gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers. After a few days of rest, you can start to get back to your normal activities. Staying active increases blood flow to the area and helps you heal.
Other treatments for lower back pain depend on the cause. They include:
- Medications: Your provider may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or prescription drugs to relieve pain. Other medications relax muscles and prevent back spasms.
- Physical therapy : PT can strengthen muscles so they can support your spine. PT also improves flexibility and helps you avoid another injury.
- Hands-on manipulation: Several hands-on treatments can relax tight muscles, reduce pain and improve posture and alignment. Depending on the cause of pain, you may need osteopathic manipulation or chiropractic adjustments. Massage therapy can also help with back pain relief and restore function.
- Injections: Your provider uses a needle to inject medication into the area thats causing pain. Steroid injections relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- Surgery: Some injuries and conditions need surgical repair. There are several types of surgery for low back pain, including many minimally invasive techniques.
Treat Soreness With One Of The Best Mattresses For Back Pain
Nearly 65 million Americans experience back pain from time to time, and at least 16 million adults suffer from chronic pain. A bad back can interfere with daily activities, but it can also adversely affect your sleep. The right mattress may not only improve your sleep, but it could also help you feel better altogether.
When we lie down to sleep at night, we expect to wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the days tasks, but waking up with back pain can make sleepingand arisinga lot more difficult. Back issues are more common than we think: According to Georgetown Universitys Health Policy Institute, roughly 8% of adults are affected by long-term back pain during the course of their lives. How we lead our daily lives is a big factor, but another consideration to make is how were sleeping. If youve had to pause your DIY project because of recurring aches and pains, its time to look for the best mattress for back pain.
The type of bed you rest on at night can be playing a huge role in causing your back pain, and conversely, the right mattress can work wonders in relieving it. Most of us spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping or at least laying in bed, which makes the type of mattress youre using that much more important, especially so if you deal with regular back pain.
Types Of Lower Back Pain
There are two primary types of lower back pain: acute and chronic.
- Acute lower back pain is short-term, lasting for just a few days up to a few weeks. It is often connected to an identifiable event or injury. When acute back pain fades, there is no ongoing effect on mobility.
- Chronic lower back pain goes on for three months or longer. In many cases, it occurs without a clear link to an initial injury.
Lower back pain that starts as acute may become chronic. It is estimated that around 20% of cases of acute low back pain persist and become chronic.
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Sleeping In A Reclined Position On Your Back
People with isthmic spondylolisthesis can benefit a lot from their lower back pain by sleeping in a recline position. You may also get relief from resting in a reclined chair. When the body is in a reclined position there is a natural space created between the thighs and trunks. This posture exerts minimal pressure and strain on the spine.
You can also think of investing in an adjustable bed that can be positioned to a reclined chair.
Visit âBackfitpro
Best Executive: Inbox Zero Ergonomic Executive Chair
Image Source / Wayfair
Many executive office chairs arent supportive enough for people with back pain, but this option from Inbox Zero is an exception. Made of a breathable, antimicrobial mesh, the chair supports the whole body from the head to the neck, back, and lumbar areas.
Just pull the lever to change the chair’s height from 15.7 to 19.7 inches. The seat easily adjusts even while sitting on it, and the padded arms and center-tilt are also adjustable. The seat swivels 360 degrees and has casters to help you smoothly roll throughout the office . Note that the chair has a 250-pound capacity.
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Get The Support You Need
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Verywell / Sabrina Jiang
Back pain can be debilitating, so preventing it is key to staying active and healthy. While most spinal conditions, including osteoporosis, scoliosis, and some cancers, can’t be treated or prevented by a back brace, a brace may be able to help relieve some of the pressure on the spine for those with mild back pain. Not to mention, they’re great for anyone who occasionally participates in activities that involve bending over or lifting heavy items. Studies show that when used for short periods of time, they can help support the spine and distribute some of the pressure to help prevent further back injuries.
Here are the best back braces on the market today.
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Designed for upper back only
People with aching upper and lower backs have it roughthey often need to buy two separate braces which become bulky and expensive. Flexguards fully adjustable support brace is a top-notch choice that covers your upper and lower back.
Material: Neoprene | Part of Back it Targets: Upper back | Machine Washable: No
How Is Back Pain Diagnosed
Your doctor or healthcare clinician will:
- ask about your back pain, including:
- the potential causes or triggers
- the type of pain for example, burning or stabbing pain
- whether the pain radiates
- whether you have had back pain before
- things that make your pain worse
- things that make it better
Your doctor may refer you for some tests if they think there may be a more serious cause for your back pain.
However, in most cases of back pain, imaging is not useful and is not recommended. Unnecessary tests can be expensive, and some scans involve exposure to radiation that is better avoided if the results will not help with your treatment.
A thorough examination by your doctor will decide whether more investigations are appropriate or will be helpful in developing a treatment plan that is right for you. It is important to know that many investigations show changes to your spine that are likely to represent the normal passage of time, not damage to your spine.
For more information about questions to ask your doctor before you get any test, treatment or procedure, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.
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Is Spinal Alignment The Most Important Factor
Spinal alignment is certainly important, but its not the only factor when it comes to sleeping with back pain. Pressure relief is also important for helping you reduce pain and get to sleep. However, its important to find a material that relieves pressure while still allowing movement.
If you find youre waking up stiff and sore but feel better after you get moving, you could be dealing with swelling or inflammation in the joints or muscle tissue. While this can occur in almost any type of injury, its usually a sign that the injury isnt getting motion, especially while you sleep.
When it comes to spinal injuries or misalignments, most chiropractors and physical therapists will treat the issue by aligning the spine and increasing motion to reduce inflammation and swelling. If you can move around easily when you sleep, either to reposition or rollover, your body may be able to help aid in that process.
One Back Pain Treatment You Probably Dont Need
Back pain can be incredibly frustrating, and going under the knife may seem like the quickest, easiest fix to bring relief. But the truth is, many people dont need surgery for lower back pain management, Dr. Park says.
If your back pain is musculoskeletal, you will not require surgery, but if its a pinched nerve thats due to a disc herniation or something else, you may need to have surgery, he says. But even in those people, when you go through a six-to-eight-week course of treatment that includes physical therapy and activity modification, 85 to 90 percent of the time, they wont need surgery.
However, if you try the treatments above and dont see any improvement or still feel pain, talk to your doctor about a referral to a pain management specialist, as more specific tests or treatments may be required to get to the bottom of whats going on.
Stay updated on the latest science-backed health, fitness, and nutrition news by signing up for the Prevention.com newsletter here.
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How Back Pain Affects Sleep
Hundreds of conditions can contribute to back pain, which is a pretty vague term in itself. One could be referring to the various muscles, ribs, shoulders, or any region of the spine. While this may make it hard for some doctors to provide an accurate diagnosis, the good news is that all of these conditions have some commonalities when it comes to sleep.
Whether its due to tenderness on the pressure points, or soreness that makes it difficult to move, back pain contributes to sleep disturbances significantly in a variety of ways.
View Our Guide: How to Cope With Pain and Sleep
Resteck Shiatsu Neck And Back Massager
Switch on this classic back and neck massager, and relax
When youre looking for back pain relief, sometimes you simply want something you can pop on then sit back and relax.
Restecks Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager offers you exactly that, just drape on, position where you need it and enjoy the relief.
Complete with handles, you can position the back massager where you need it, then maneuver it to reach the perfect spot.
Its so easy to operate with four simple buttons controlling all the different functions. Choose from various massage options, plus heat and vibrations settings to tailor your treatment.
One important thing to note is that you need to be plugged into the mains at all times when using the device.
This is obviously not something you need to worry about with a handheld tool like the PlayMakar MVP Massager or a product like the Aku Mat.
However it does with a handy carrying case and a car adaptor for portability.
Owners of this massager commented on the excellent quality and remarked that it had quickly become a pain relief tool they used to manage their pain daily.
Plus it comes with a lifetime warranty so the manufacturer is pretty sure youll love it!
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How Do I Know If My Mattress Is Causing Back Pain
Because back pain can be caused by many things, its often difficult to pinpoint whether or not your mattress is the culprit. If your back pain is worse in the morning, thats a good sign that your mattress isnt providing proper support. You may also find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night. Additionally, if your mattress is more than seven years old, thats another clue it might be time to invest in a new one.
Irene House Dual Motor Best High End Back Pain Recliner
Our Top Pick
Unlike traditional chairs, this chair is power-driven by an electric and dual motor. Both these motors run independently, smoothly and are environmentally friendly with no noise. The dual-motor facilitates different seating positions.
Also, there is a simple button for conveniently changing the positions. So, you can read a book, watch tv, or even take a nap.
In addition, the footrest and backrest are adjustable. With the help of a remote, you can adjust its position as you want quickly. You can also push the entire chair up as it has a power lift feature. It will also help your elders stand effortlessly without putting stress on their knees or back.
Additionally, the positioning angles of this chair are infinite. You can recline the backrest from 105°to 180°and footrest from 90° to 180°. So, you can effortlessly recline to any degree without lifting the seat and raising the footrest. With this outstanding feature, you can fully stretch your body and relax while watching TV or reading.
This recliner is made up of formaldehyde-free wood boards along with the best quality metal frame. The arms and backrest are extra padded with a high-density sponge. Due to this, it doesnt wear out and provides you comfort for decades. Also, if you are overweight and unable to find a suitable chair, you can consider getting this recliner as it can support up to 300lbs.
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Faq About The Best Mattresses For Back Pain
What are the most important performance factors people with back pain should consider in a mattress?
The perfect mattress for those dealing with back pain keeps the spine in alignmentpromoting good posture even while sleepingand keeps weight from compounding on pressure points. If a mattress is too firm or easily sags, it wont provide the support system for your spine at the neck or the lower back. A medium-firm mattress for sleepers with back pain will provide the best balance of cushioning pressure relief and firm support. However, plus-size sleepers with back pain will need a firmer, more durable mattress.
How long should a new mattress last?
At minimum, online mattresses are developed to perform for 10 years. With high-quality materials, these mattresses can last much longer and are backed with generous warranties, spanning from 10 years to lifetime coverage.
What if my new mattress doesnt help my back pain?
Each of the mattresses on this list comes with a sleep trial, and many brands ask that you take 30 days to break in your new bed. After this time, if you still arent loving it, reach out to your mattress companys customer support team to discuss the return and refunding process. Some will charge a fee to ship the mattress back.
How much does a new mattress cost?
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.
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Apollo Premium Copper Hybrid Mattress
The Apollo Premium Copper Hybrid mattress is a unique mattress unlike any of the others on our list. This mattress is packed with features, from the supportive micro-coils to the copper-infused foam layers. Though this is a hybrid mattress, it uses dual layers of coils and foam to keep you comfortable as you sleep.
If youd like the comforting pressure-relief of memory foam but often wake up sweaty or uncomfortable, this mattress may be able to help. It offers that memory foam hug with additional temperature control features to help you stay cool while you sleep.
These features include a copper-infusion foam top layer, which moves heat through copper conducting beads to channel it away from your body. Above this is a cooling yarn cover, which feels cool to the touch even on the warmest days. Its all-over cooling comfort that doesnt allow your body heat to build up.
The micro-coils are 1-inch Aeroduct coils, which contour your body but channel heat away. These coils rest atop a thick layer of durable high-density foam, which isolates motion almost completely and offers support for your entire body.
But the real comfort comes from the middle layer, a 5th Generation memory foam with edge support that cushions the coils, forms to your body, and reduces deep pressure from those harsher pressure points, like your back and hips. Together, this mattress will help keep your spine aligned, keep you cool, and offer amazing support all over your body.
Why are we impressed?
Of The Best Back Pain Relief Products And Remedies
The Good Body Updated: August 16, 2021Pain Management
10% of the worlds population suffer from back pain at some point. If youre one of them, you know that youll literally try anything to help when youre suffering!
Yet with so many treatments to choose from, it can be overwhelming to experiment with all the options before finding whats right for you.
Here at The Good Body weve done a little of the hard work for you.
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