Back pain is not something people want to endure willingly. It can cause crippling pain and interfere with your ability to do simple tasks. There are several causes for back pain, but there is no need to suffer from any of them needlessly; the methods available to treat these conditions are plentiful.

Common Causes for Pain in the Back

Some of the most common reasons for back pain include:

" Osteoarthritis

" Herniated disc

" Strains

" Sprains

" Fibromyalgia

" Weak midsection muscles

" Poor postural alignment

" Sciatica

Common back problems can be caused or exacerbated by slouching, sleeping on a poor quality mattress, age, improper lifting, repetitive bending and twisting motions, falls, and a diet that is deficient in bone-strengthening nutrients.

Natural Treatments for Back Pain

There are several drug-free methods used to treat pain in the back. Massage therapy relaxes muscle spasms and improves blood circulation. Applying heat and ice packs simultaneously to the offending area will ease back pain. Heat relaxes the muscles, and ice reduces inflammation.

Heat can worsen inflammation in the back, so wait at least two days after the initial injury to apply heat to the area.

Acupuncture is another method commonly used to treat painful conditions. During acupuncture, thin needles are inserted along pathways in the body to improve energy flow and relieve pain. With the exception of tenderness at the injection sites, there are typically no side effects associated with acupuncture.

Chiropractic care is another option for treating back pain naturally. Chiropractors can offer massage and acupuncture services as well as a number of other treatment methods for back pain. Some of them include decompression therapy to relieve pressure on the nerves and restore nutrients to the discs. There is also spinal manipulation, in which chiropractors use specialized techniques and gentle, painless equipment to realign the spine.

Over the Counter and Prescription Drug Treatments for Back Pain

Over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, and aspirin are the most commonly used drugs to treat mild to moderate back pain.

If over the counter pain relievers are taken as directed, they can usually be used by healthy individuals without serious side effects. If you have health conditions or are taking other medications, talk to a doctor before taking over the counter meds for back pain.

If pain in the back is too intense, stronger pain relievers are available via prescription. If prescription pain killers are not taken properly they can have severe side effects, and become addictive as well.

If back pain is caused by a herniated disc and is persistent, steroid injections can be injected directly at the site of the pain. These injections reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.

Most back pain will go away over time, but in rare instances surgery may be required to remedy the cause of back problems.

Back pain can make simple everyday tasks difficult to carry out. But being proactive with treatment can get rid of your back pain and help you get back to doing the things you enjoy everyday.

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