Medication
At the first sign of lower back pain, try to remain as active as possible and take an over-the-counter pain relief medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If the pain persists after taking the medication, consult a doctor. He may prescribe stronger narcotics known as opioids that work both to relieve the pain and to help heal the problem. Alternatively, the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants that will help you to be able to move and allow for therapeutic exercise.
Heat and Ice
A common treatment for lower back pain is to apply a heating pad to the area fifteen minutes at a time, every three hours. Set the heating pad on low to medium heat. If you don't have access to a heating pad, take a warm shower and let the water hit your back. Alternate the heat with an ice pack for fifteen minutes, also using it every three hours.
Exercise
Lower back pain used to be treated with bed rest, but physicians now recommend against this. Lack of motion causes the muscles to entropy, whereas activity strengthens them. For this reason, doctors advise patients to stay as active as possible, without doing anything to worsen the problem. A sudden onset of back pain can make even the slightest movement agony, but try your best to get up and move. After the severe pain subsides, try going for a walk, as walking is one of the most effective exercises for back muscles.
Acupuncture
A very popular alternative medicine treatment for lower back is acupuncture. A German study concluded that acupuncture was more effective at treating lower back pain than traditional medical treatments. At the same time, however, the study also found that needle treatments that do not follow the strict guidelines for acupuncture were just as effective. Traditional acupuncture treatments for back pain consists of 10 30-minute-long sessions conducted over 6 weeks.
Massage Therapy
Another popular alternative treatment for lower back pain is massage therapy. A 2001 study conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami concluded that not only does massage therapy help alleviate pain, it also improves a person's range of motion and even helps increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, both of which facilitate the healing process.
Tags: back pain, lower back, lower back pain, treatment lower, treatment lower back