How to Treat Lower Back Pain

For many people, lower back pain is just an aggravating part of life. It affects thousands of people every day, and is caused by many different things. If you are suffering from chronic lower back pain, then you are sure to be looking for a treatment option. The good news is that there are numerous ways to treat the condition, and there may be one or a combination of techniques that will help you.

The first thing to consider is the source of your back pain. Do you simply tire your back out from day to day lifting? Many moms find that their lower back pain comes from picking up children throughout the day. Or does your back pain come from a verified spine issue like a slipped disc? Many people suffer from back injuries they don’t even know about that lead to chronic pain problems. Even sitting all day in a chair which is too low at work can eventually lead to a bad back.

The best way to treat your lower back pain is to try a combination of options. You can start by taking an over-the-counter pain medication. This will help to ease the pain while you try to loosen the muscles that are aching. Next, choose either ice or heat. Generally, inflamed muscles will respond best to an ice pack while sore muscles will respond best to heat. In either case, limit the time you apply the ice or heat to 15-20 minute intervals. You can buy back patches at your local drugstore or pharmacy that will apply ice or heat steadily throughout the day.

Be sure to visit your doctor soon if your back pain does not improve after home treatment, or lasts longer than 1 week, as they may be able to better diagnose and treat your problem.

Lower back pain is something that the majority of people have to deal with at one point in their life. If you are suffering from back pain, remember to determine the cause and then choose the right course of action.