- 1. Taking medication for back pain
- 2. Doing physical therapy
- 3. Practice exercises
- 4. Use a hot compress at home
- See another way to make a hot compress at home in the video:
- 5. Natural treatment
- 6. Alternative treatment
- 7. Spine surgery
- When to go to the doctor
To treat back pain caused by muscle pain or spinal problems such as a 'parrot's beak' or herniated disc it may be necessary to use a hot-water bottle, take medication, undergo physical therapy and, ultimately, resort to surgery.
Therefore, in case of back pain with difficulty moving, burning and burning sensation, it is important to perform tests such as x-ray, tomography or MRI to identify the cause of the back pain and then start the most appropriate treatment. See the main causes and how to relieve back pain.
What you can do to treat back pain is to:
1. Taking medication for back pain
The doctor may prescribe medication to relieve back pain, such as analgesics and anti-inflammatories that must be taken together with a gastric protector to prevent gastritis caused by medications, and in some cases may recommend the use of an anti ointment. -inflammatory to be applied to the pain site, with a gentle massage until it is completely absorbed by the skin.
The remedies that the doctor may indicate against back pain can be:
- Analgesics, such as Paracetamol, 3 times a day or as directed by a doctor; Anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen or Nimesulide, taken 3 times a day after meals, especially in cases of arthritis; Muscle relaxants, such as miosan, 3 to 4 times a day or according to the orthopedist's guidelines; Injections of Diclofenac and Tiocolquicoside, made at the hospital or health center, according to the doctor's prescription.
The remedies reduce pain and inflammation, bringing pain relief, but to prevent the pain from coming back, it is advisable to also do physiotherapy sessions that are useful to strengthen weakened muscles, improve posture and the positioning of all structures. See other examples of Back Pain Remedies.
2. Doing physical therapy
The physiotherapist should carry out an evaluation by observing the results of the exams, listening to the patient's history and making specific tests to check which structures need to be treated.
Physiotherapy treatment can vary from person to person but it can include thermoelectro-phototherapy resources to relieve pain and inflammation, contributing to a better effect of the medications, and in a more advanced stage it is usually necessary to perform kinesiotherapy exercises appropriate to the reality and the patient's need.
In addition, stretching exercises should also be performed daily to maintain well-positioned structures and muscles with the ideal flexibility to perform all daily activities without pain. In the consultation the physiotherapist will be able to indicate the stretches that can be performed at home, to complement the treatment in the clinic.
3. Practice exercises
After relieving the symptoms of back pain it is very important that the patient exercises regularly to prevent the pain from returning. The physical education professional can indicate which is the best modality, respecting your tastes and possibilities, but good options are walking and Clinical Pilates, done with the physiotherapist with exercises that strengthen the abdomen and lumbar spine, for example.
Here are some posture-enhancing exercises that are useful for eliminating back pain.
4. Use a hot compress at home
To help with the treatment, at home the patient can place a hot compress on the site of the pain, allowing it to act for about 15 minutes. This homemade treatment improves blood circulation and relaxes the muscles, bringing pain relief within minutes. To make the hot compress:
You will need:
- We have a wide range of products to suit your needs.
How to make:
Soak the washcloth in the hot water and wring out the excess water. Then, place the folded washcloth inside the plastic bag, leave it open, and microwave it at medium power for about 3 minutes or until it warms up.
To use the compress, close the package to conserve heat better and wrap it in another dry towel. Apply the compress to the painful area and observe the region from time to time, so as not to run the risk of burning yourself. If you feel the skin burning or if it is very red, remove the compress and wait to cool down a little.
The thermal bags that are used for this purpose can be purchased in pharmacies and medical and hospital products stores, and usually last for many years, being something easy to access and that can be used many times.
See another way to make a hot compress at home in the video:
5. Natural treatment
The natural treatment for back pain should be used while waiting for a doctor's appointment and includes:
- Compresses: place a warm compress with 3 drops of essential oil of basil or eucalyptus on the affected region, for 15 minutes 3 to 4 times a day; Massage: receive a massage with lavender oil 2 to 3 times a day, but without straining the muscles too much; Homeopathy: take homeopathic remedies, such as Homeoflan or Prépós da Almeida Prado, every 8 hours or under the guidance of the homeopath.
During treatment, it is important to avoid making any kind of physical effort, such as picking up a child, carrying heavy bags, cycling or gardening, for example.
The natural treatment for back pain helps, especially, to reduce muscle pain that lasts up to 4 days, after which it is recommended to consult an orthopedist to start the most appropriate treatment.
6. Alternative treatment
Other treatments that can help fight back pain are acupuncture and osteopathy, which must be performed by qualified professionals in order to have the expected effect. However, it is not uncommon for back pain treatment to involve all of the therapies listed here.
7. Spine surgery
In the most severe cases or when all therapies to relieve back pain have been tried without success, spine surgery may be necessary. Spine surgery is delicate and can have complications but in some cases it is very necessary to combat the cause of back pain and thus eliminate the pain.
However, after spinal surgery, the patient usually still needs to do some physical therapy sessions to recover and learn to maintain good posture. See the care you should take after a spine surgery.
When to go to the doctor
You should go to the doctor when the back pain is slow to pass or is very intense, making daily tasks difficult, it is also recommended to seek medical help if there are symptoms such as pain radiating to the legs, tingling sensation or burning sensation in the back, buttocks or legs. Usually the doctor makes an evaluation at the consultation and requests some imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs to evaluate the spine, intervertebral discs and spinous processes, for example, and check the need for the use of drugs, physical therapy or, in the most severe and chronic cases, surgery.
