Back Pain Treatment - Low Back Pain Treatment

Back pain is extremely common - about eight in ten people in the UK are affected at some time in their lives. Each year, close to five million working days are lost due to back pain. Back pain is actually very common—about three in four adults will experience back pain during their lifetime, especially low back pain. Most back pain comes from sprains and strains caused by stressful movements, and with a bit of medical attention, those will get better. Occasionally, back pain requires more demanding medical help and possibly even surgery.nnLow Back PainnnLow back pain means a pain or ache somewhere between the bottom of the ribs, at the back, and the top of the legs. The pain often begins suddenly, and may follow an obvious strain or injury, but may seem to come on "out of the blue", or come on slowly. The pain may travel to or be felt elsewhere. It often goes into the buttocks, but may go further down the leg and even into the foot.n nTreatment of Low Back Painnn1) Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day or as often as once every hour. You can use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin towel. After 2 to 3 days of ice, switch to heat for 15 or 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. You can take a hot shower or use a heating pad or hot water bottle. You may also want to try switching between heat and cold.nn2) Cold and hot packs for some may help reduce pain and inflammation and allow greater mobility. Apply a cold compress to the tender spot several times a day for up to 20 minutes. After a few days of cold treatment, apply heat for brief periods to relax muscles and increase blood flow. Warm baths may also help. Patients should avoid sleeping on a heating pad, which can cause burns and lead to additional tissue damage.nnHerniated discnnMany patients with back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower extremity muscles are diagnosed with a herniated disc. When a disc herniation occurs, the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebra is pushed outside its normal position. A herniated disc would not be a problem if it weren't for the spinal nerves that are very close to the edge of these spinal discs. It occurs when the ligaments that support and surround the flat, plate like cushions between the vertebrae in the spine begin to weaken.nnTreatment of Herniated discnn1)It is important that you rest your back and give the irritated nerves and muscles a chance to recover. Your doctor may suggest you rest in bed to take the weight off your back. You may read or watch TV, but you should get up only to go to the bathroom and eat meals.nn2) Surgical treatment-To relieve nerve pressure and leg pain, surgery usually involves removing part or the entire damaged disc. This is called a discectomy. At our practice, this procedure can often be done utilizing minimally invasive techniques. Minimally invasive surgery uses smaller incisions and specialized technology such as microscopes and endoscopes ("mini-video cameras"). Microdiscectomy and minimally invasive techniques often result in quicker patient recovery times compared to traditional techniques, as they reduce trauma to muscles and minimize blood-loss during surgery.nn3) Exercises recommended by the doctor or physical therapist to help reduce pain and strengthen the muscles that support the back