Home Remedies: Lower Back Pain Treatment

If you experience back pain from muscle strain or even from a sedentary lifestyle, there is a good chance that relief can be found in your very own home.  In fact, there are several effective pain relievers that do not require a prescription.  They are available at any local drug store, pharmacy or even convenience store.  Thus, there are some very basic steps to treating back pain in the comfort of your very own home.

If you encounter back pain

Even the most cautious people can make a mistake from time to time.  If you encounter back pain, there are treatment options you can exercise from home.  Moreover, not all back pain requires drastic medical intervention.  In fact, your body has the capacity to heal itself; thus, many patients find that the pain subsides on its own after a short period of time.  However, when the pain is severe and interferes with normal activity, some action must be taken to alleviate it. 

Heat and Ice

To start with, heat can be applied with a regular hot water bottle or heating pad.  When applied to muscles in the irritated area, heat causes nearby blood vessels to dilate.  This helps flush out the vessels and remove chemical irritants that trigger the pain.  Meanwhile, ice is as close as your freezer.  Of course you also have the option of purchasing ice packs from your local drug store or pharmacy.  At any rate, ice has the opposite affect of heat, causing constriction of the blood vessels.  Thus, smaller vessels translate to relief of inflammation and muscle spasms.  While some patients report more pain relief from one of the two treatments, physicians often recommend alternating heat and ice.  The decontamination properties of heat and the anti-inflammatory reaction to cold work well together to reduce pain, particularly during the first few days.  Furthermore, there are several different products available that are designed for heat therapy at home. 

For example, many patients choose an electric heating pad.  The most basic of these devices has a low and high setting in addition to the fact that they stay warm until the device is switched off.  However, electric heating pads can quickly become fire hazards when they are cracked (often from being folded for storage) or when the electrical cord becomes frayed.  Moreover, they may also ignite a fire when used near machines that store or release oxygen, which is why hospitals avoid them.  Nonetheless, the safest heat therapy tools are those that do not rely on electricity.  For instance, microwavable water heating pads or wheat heating pads are very effective.  Most importantly, they are not fire hazards and there is very little, if any, risk of thermal burning when microwavable products are used as directed.

Over-the-counter pain relievers

There are a variety of pain relievers available over the counter anywhere from the pharmacy to the convenience store.  Though they achieve the same results, it is important to remember that pain relievers are not all alike.  For instance, aspirin works primarily as a blood thinner while ibuprofen and naproxen are anti-inflammatory drugs with blood-thinning properties.  Some examples of anti-inflammatory drugs include ibuprofen and naproxen.  Also, there is a newer type of anti-inflammatory medication known as COX-2 Inhibitors; additionally, brands names of these drugs include Celebrex and Vioxx.  Of course, these anti-inflammatory drugs are often preferred over aspirin because they do not have as high of a prevalence of gastrointestinal side effects.  Still, it is important to note that Vioxx was voluntarily removed from the market by its manufacturer because it as been shown to cause cardiovascular complications. 

Though Celebrex is still available, the FDA has requested further research about anti-inflammatory medications.  Meanwhile, acetaminophen, known most commonly by the brand name, Tylenol, deactivates the brain’s perception of pain.  Depending on what is best for your health, you may be better served relying on just one of these medications or a combination.  For example, many physicians recommend acetaminophen alternated with ibuprofen.  Of course, the best way to know which medication may be best for you is to consult a physician.

Personal exercise program

One of the best ways to relieve chronic back pain is to condition your back muscles.  This means making them more flexible, stronger and well-conditioned.  Fortunately, this does not require you to become a marathon runner.  In fact, quite the opposite is necessary for patients with back pain.  All that is necessary is an exercise that is paced and appropriate for your current condition.  For optimal spinal health, exercises should focus on moderate stretching exercises, core strengthening exercises and low impact aerobics.  Thus, stretching promotes flexibility, core strengthening helps to stabilize the spinal column and aerobic training keeps excess weight at a minimum.  With a stronger, healthier set of back and abdominal muscles, your chance of encountering a muscle injury is significantly reduced.  This is, of course, due to the fact that strong muscles do not become fatigued and strained as easily.  Meanwhile, a balanced spine distributes weight evenly throughout the muscles.  

Ask your doctor

Though home remedies are easy to use and effective, you should always discuss your back pain and possible treatment options with a physician.  More than likely, he or she will recommend conservative methods that address your injury, overall health and lifestyle.  In particular, you should always ask a physician when taking medication.  He or she has the ability to make the best recommendation based on your medical history, which is essential because of the possible side effects medications may have.