injured back pain

How To Properly Treat A Bad Back

Back pain is a fact of life for many Americans. Sufferers are often so incapacitated that they even miss work or school as a result. Having frequent pain, particularly in the lower back, can be so demoralizing that it can lead you to even think you have a “bad back.”

While some people have spinal issues as a result of degeneration, disease or accident that might rightfully cause you to have a bad back, most often you may be feeling temporary back pain that is the result of poor posture, sprains, strains, and trauma.

What’s Causing Your Back Pain?

While back pain merits an immediate visit to a medical professional, try to determine a possible cause of your back pain. This will help your physician to diagnose you.

  • Was it from exercise, whether you were too aggressive, exercised for too long or did it incorrectly?
  • Was it from work, whether your lifted something improperly, or did you sit or stand in one position for too long?
  • Was it from poor posture when walking, sitting, or sleeping?
  • Was it from a fall or an accident?

It’s most concerning when you can’t recall any activity or event that may have caused your pain. It’s also cause for concern when your pain is caused by an activity that would not normally cause you pain, such as getting up from a seat, walking, or lying in bed.

When your back pain is accompanied by serious symptoms such as loss of bladder or bowel control, muscle weakness or a loss of sensation in your limbs, or high fever, you should immediately call your primary care provider.

Seeking Professional Help For Back Pain

Although your primary care physician will likely want to know what if an event caused your back pain, they will also want to rule out chronic disorders not triggered by an event. Your primary care physician might order imaging tests or blood work to rule out diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or spinal infections. This will determine if you have an injury or suffer from a disorder that caused chronic pain.

Your Physician May:

  • Order blood work to determine or diagnose secondary causes of your pain.
  • Order imaging to determine physical causes of your back pain.
  • Send you to a specialist, such as a neurologist, orthopedist, or rheumatologist to see if you suffer from chronic conditions that may cause back pain.
  • Suggest treatment or rehabilitation with a chiropractor or physical therapist to improve posture and strengthen your back muscles.
  • Suggest treatments, such as steroid injections, to reduce inflammation and pain.
  • Create a pain management plan to safely alleviate your back pain.

Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may also suggest alternative treatments to manage your back pain. For many people, these treatments provide the relief they need while also providing techniques that might prevent future problems. Your primary care physician may suggest:

  • Visiting a chiropractor who might use manual joint manipulation, or adjustments, to improve the function of the spinal facet joints. One visit might help your pain, but usually multiple visits are necessary to gain the full benefits of various chiropractic techniques.
  • Professional massage, especially deep tissue massage, may be relaxing, but also reduces muscle spasms and combats inflammation that results after sprains and strains.
  • Acupuncture uses thin needles inserted at various points of your body to reduce pain. The process, which is based on ancient Chinese medicine, immediately releases endorphins and serotonin that relieve pain.
  • Yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation promote relaxation that can reduce back pain and prevent injury.

A combination of both traditional treatments and alternative treatments can often be the key to regaining mobility, confidence and strength in your back. You primary care physician will suggest and prescribe what’s right for you.

Raintree Medical And Chiropractic Center Can Help

When you have back pain that is severe or that won’t go away, Raintree Medical and Chiropractic Center is your ideal destination. Our primary care providers can evaluate your condition, while our chiropractic, massage, and rehabilitation team can introduce you to approaches that might work to relieve your pain. For information, or to schedule an appointment, call us today at 816-623-3020.