Lower back pain therapy often focuses on controlling the severity of the condition through the use of painkilling medication because acute back problems sometimes disappear relatively quickly. If the discomfort doesn’t go away after a few weeks, or if the patient has chronic lower back pain, other treatments may be required. Some of the different kinds of lower back pain therapy include physical therapy, massage, spinal manipulations and acupuncture. A person with chronic back pain may also benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which educates the patient about his or her condition and provides mental tools for managing the problem.
If lower pain is acute, pain killing medication may help control the condition. Chronic lower back pain can also sometimes be reduced to a manageable level with painkillers, although this may not be a long-term solution. To begin with, over-the-counter drugs such as paracetamol may be effective, along with anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen. If the pain is severe, stronger medication may be required.
In some cases, back pain may disappear quickly on its own. If the pain persists for several weeks, however, then this may be a sign that lower back pain therapy is required to address the underlying problem. Physical therapy involves a number of different pain reduction techniques. These modalities include stretching and strengthening certain muscles, icing or heating the affected area, and teaching the patient about maintaining a good posture. A physical therapy routine may not have an immediate effect, but the proper treatment may reduce back pain dramatically.
Manual treatments, such as massage and spinal manipulation, are also often used as a lower back pain therapy. The goal of these treatments is to increase the flexibility of muscles in the back and maintain or increase spinal range of motion. Manual treatment should only be performed by a trained, licensed professional because the techniques can be dangerous, however.
There are a number of alternative types of lower back pain therapy. Acupuncture, for example, provides pain relief for some people, although there is little scientific evidence to support it. Cognitive behavior therapy, which focuses on educating the patient about his or her condition, can also be effective at managing chronic lower back pain. In addition, it is important for a person with back problems to try and keep active and maintain a good level of fitness; staying physically active, provided a doctor approves, may help reduce the chance of reinjury.