The best back injury treatment will depend on what type of injury or condition you have. Back pain is a very common condition, and it can be caused by muscle, bone, nerve, or other issues. The first step, therefore, in choosing the best back injury treatment is to visit a doctor so you can get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the pain. If you already know what parts of the back were damaged because of the injury, you may begin researching treatment options for that specific injury; it is best, however, to seek a doctor's opinion to prevent further injury to the back.
Muscle strains and tears are one of the most common back injuries that are often sustained by athletes as well as people who do heavy lifting regularly. These injuries can occur in other people as well, especially people who do not exercise regularly. Back injury treatment for such a problem will depend on the severity of the injury; minor muscle strains can be treated with the RICE treatment. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. These actions help keep swelling to a minimum, encourage blood flow to the affected area for faster healing, and prevent further injury to the area by immobilizing it as much as possible.
Spinal compression is another common condition that can lead to herniated discs in the spine. A herniated disc occurs when a spinal disc that sits between two vertebrae bulges or ruptures, putting pressure on the nerves that run around the spine. This can lead to intense or moderate pain. Back injury treatment for a herniated disc may vary; usually the RICE treatment is sufficient to allow the injury to heal, but more severe injuries to a spinal disc may require surgery to remedy.
Sufferers of chronic back pain may want to seek the advice of a doctor. Back injury treatment that causes chronic pain can be difficult to diagnose properly, and the injury itself may lead to other painful conditions that will perpetuate discomfort. Nerve compression due to an injury, for example, may need to be addressed with exercise and physical therapy, or it may be addressed surgically in very severe cases. Strength training of the core muscles is often a good treatment for many back injuries, though it may exacerbate other injuries. Corrective devices such as braces may be used for some conditions, while ergonomic chairs may be sufficient to remedy other types of pain.