Back problems are a common complaint in the United States, with 65 million Americans reporting a recent episode of back pain. 16 million adults in the US report experiencing chronic back pain that limits their ability to perform everyday activities and reduces their overall quality of life.
While surgery is one option to treat back pain, many people are reluctant to go under the knife due to the risk of complications and the lengthy recovery time. The good news is that there is a range of other options to treat chronic back pain.
In this blog post, we will look at non-surgical treatment options that you can choose from.
Physical Therapy
One of the foundations of chronic back pain treatment is exercise. Under the guidance of a physical therapist, you will be able to learn and perform a range of different exercises that can help you to treat chronic back pain.
This includes stretching and flexibility exercises, core strengthening, retraining your posture, and aerobic exercises. Most if not all of these exercises can be performed at home, helping you to establish an ongoing treatment program that keeps the pain at bay.
Center for Pain Management
A Center for Pain Management is a health care facility that focuses on the diagnosis and management of chronic pain. These facilities can help you to find the root cause of the issue and learn the most effective way to overcome it. Here you will receive personalized care and have access to a broad team of specialists designed to effectively treat back pain.
Lifestyle Modifications
Accepting your limitations and adapting is another important step in dealing with chronic lower back pain. Avoid doing things that will exacerbate the pain, such as carrying heavy loads or performing a task without stopping for frequent rests. It’s also recommended that you take a close look at your diet.
A diet that is high in processed foods, refined sugars, and trans fats may contribute to the severity of back pain. Equally, being overweight can also worsen the symptoms of back pain by increasing pressure on the spine.
Meditation and Mindfulness
As well as being a physical strain, chronic back pain can be emotionally draining. Meditation and mindfulness can help you to manage the psychological aspects, which can include:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Frustration
For thousands of years, yoga has been a tried-and-trusted method for relaxing both the body and the mind.
How to Treat Back Pain Without Surgery
If you are not interested in surgery as a solution to chronic back pain, the above options can all be considered. Many of these options can be combined together to create an ongoing program to treat the causes and manage the symptoms of back pain.
Like this blog post on how to treat back pain? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.