The lower back, more specifically the lumbar spine, is the most sensitive part of the spine and is particularly vulnerable to strains and injuries.
The lumbar region begins just below the ribcage and extends all the way down to the sacral spine, otherwise known as the coccyx. A person puts pressure on this sensitive area by simply sitting down, which can make finding relief a frustrating task.
Trying to manage lower back pain by yourself can be overwhelming, which is why working with our providers can make all the difference.
In many instances, lower back pain is the result of years of strain or cumulative injury and may require individualized treatment to fully address the root of the problem.
Many quick-fix cures like painkillers will never actually fix your lower back pain but instead temporarily numb the symptoms. At Optimum Health, we focus on understanding the unique needs of each patient to personalize lower back pain treatment.
To speak with a trusted member of our team and schedule an appointment, contact us online or call (770)887-9443.
Lower Back Pain Treatment: How to Relieve Back Pain
Some of the most simple activities, like sitting or lying down, can put pressure on your lower back, making it difficult to relax, even in positions that are typically comfortable. This challenge puts sufferers in a position to experience the domino effect firsthand.
When the pain gets worse, and the sufferer is unable to relax the tense area, they can place more stress while relying on positions that exacerbate the problem. This creates even more strain on the affected pain points, creating an endless cycle of increasing discomfort.
Even though many treatment methods for lower back pain are only temporary, they can still provide proactive support. Sometimes all that’s necessary is quick relief to get back to our daily activities.
Things to Try When You Have Short-Term Back Pain
When the pain suddenly develops, and you’re searching for a way to ease the overwhelming sensation, the following tips may come in handy:
- Move around: While it may seem counterproductive to put pressure on something that hurts, getting your muscles moving can actually have a positive effect on your lower back pain. Try lower back stretches or yoga, or embrace a nice, low-impact walk if you feel physically capable. Even just standing while rotating the hips in a “hula” motion can provide some relief. The goal is to increase movement in your joints and strengthen your muscles, which can ultimately decrease the pain.
- Hot and cold treatments: A hot compress can relax the muscles and promote healing, while cold compresses halt inflammation and possibly reduce spasms. These small gestures can help your lower back heal itself naturally.
- Pain-relief products: One of the most common fast-acting treatment methods is over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, or something stronger, like prescription painkillers. You can also try topical treatments like creams and patches that you directly apply to the area. While these methods are generally effective and easy to use, the effects are short-lived, and your body is likely to grow tolerant, reducing their effectiveness over time.
- Keep lumbar region supported: After a long day, the last thing you want to be told is to get up and overwork your exhausted body. When getting up and moving around just isn’t in the cards, reclining in a comfortable chair can be achievable if you support the sacral spine with a plush pillow and elevate your neck to an appropriate ratio. Try to maintain the spine’s natural curve shape rather than slouching into a “c” shape or sinking into your chair too deeply.
Finding Professional Relief for Chronic and Severe Back Pain
Other times, when you are exhausted from the pain and need a long-term solution, you’ll need to change the approach to treatment.
Instead of focusing on the symptoms of your discomfort, to treat lower back pain, you’ll need a relief specialist that specializes in targeting the root cause of the pain.
At Optimum Health, our providers provide comprehensive treatment with a wide range of services, including:
- Chiropractic care: A chiropractor uses spinal manipulation methods to make manual adjustments to the spine, relieving pressure almost immediately. Physical rehabilitation works to promote healing by stretching the muscles and adjusting any misalignments.
- Trigger point injections: This treatment involves a local anesthetic being injected into knotted or tense myofascial tissue (trigger points) to relieve strain in the area.
- Regenerative therapy: To promote the body’s natural healing processes, Optimum Health offers regenerative therapies like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. This type of therapy works by using the healing agents in your own body, concentrating them, and injecting these healing agents into your area of pain.
What Common Factors Contribute to Lower Back Pain?
You can experience back pain for a multitude of reasons, but there are some factors that leave a person at higher risk for discomfort. Back pain is extremely common, with 16 million Americans currently living with chronic back pain.
Because 8 out of 10 Americans will experience back pain at one point or another, the common risk factors you see may be general because the pain affects almost everyone.
When we narrow down the most prevalent explanations for lower back pain, the following are commonly reported factors:
- Age: Many conditions that lead to lower back pain can be attributed to age. Arthritis and degeneration of spinal discs are common in older adults because of the wear and tear on the joints.
- Weight: Proactively monitoring your weight and staying active can have a positive long-term effect on your lower back. Someone carrying excessive extra weight will put unnecessary pressure on their sacral spine, compressing the fragile structure and even preventing proper blood flow.
- Work Conditions: Labor-intensive career fields and those that require repetitive motions are oftentimes the cause of excessive back pain starting from a young age. Although, for lower back pain, sedentary careers can be just as threatening. Sitting at a desk all day with little to no breaks on your lumbar region can stress your muscles and result in long-lasting issues for this area.
- Lifestyle habits: Smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise can all contribute to poor back health. Many studies have found a link between smoking and back pain, as it damages your arteries and prevents proper blood flow. Alcohol is a dehydrator, which can affect your kidneys, and in turn, your back. Heavy drinking can also cause spasms in some people, which is never good for your back. Avoid consuming these substances in large quantities, and stretch daily to keep your spine active and engaged.
- Family history: Some conditions, like certain forms of arthritis, can be genetically passed down, putting that person at a higher risk of developing the condition. Talk with the older members of your family to learn more about your medical history, then be sure to consult with your primary care doctor about any preventative measures you can take.
- Mental illness: Depression and anxiety can show up in many different ways. Physical symptoms, while less common than mental symptoms, can feel inhibiting and make the day even more uncomfortable. A person can endure depression or anxiety-related lower back pain, as the strain from a mental illness can create a similar physical strain.
Lower Back Pain Prevention
Knowing that the majority of people will experience some type of back pain in their lives may cause some panic, but it shouldn’t.
Because so many people deal with this type of discomfort, there is a lot of research available that teaches people how to promote wellness from a young age and preserve the health of their bones, muscles, joints, nerves, etc.
There are many habits that a person can incorporate into their daily routine for gradual effects that promote wellness in the lumbar region, but regardless of what techniques you try, consistency is key.
To prevent early onset lower back pain, and to preserve long-term functioning ability in the lumbar region, follow these tips:
- Remember proper posture when lifting
- Practice stretches and low-energy exercises daily
- Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into the diet
Optimum Health Offers Comprehensive Lower Back Pain Treatment in Cumming
There are providers at Optimum Health standing by to help you. We personalize an action plan that targets, relieves, and prevents pain in the lower back.
Our staff is committed to providing care for each patient and is dedicated to their long-term wellness. To get in touch with a trusted member of our team and schedule your initial clinical review, contact us online or call (770)887-9443.