Lower Back Pain Treatments

Lower back muscle pain is no cause for alarm. In the US alone, back pain is one of the most common causes for medical visits, next to headache. In fact, 90% of the adults will experience low back muscle pain at some point in their lives, and the majority of these adults are working men.

Paradoxically, the more intense the pain would occur, the less the severity and extent of the physical damage will be. A simple back sprain from extended periods of sitting down often leads to a strained muscle. Though not at all that serious, the nagging pain will often interfere with the work, especially on professionals who need plenty of room to concentrate. Muscle spasm that occurs mostly on athletes and persons who do a lot of manual work will find that a simple back strain could cause excruciating back pain making them unable to walk or even stand properly. In contrast, a large herniated disc or completely degenerated spinal structure in the elderly can be completely painless.

The causes of low back muscle pain are very complex since the back muscles are complex themselves. Numerous lower back muscle pain treatments have surfaced to meet this problem.

Chiropractic Manipulation Though chiropractic medicine normally is about the structural elements of the body, chiropractors often argued that structural manipulation does not only benefit the bones directly, it also affects other areas, if not all the entire back area. Chiropractic manipulation of the bones can promote skeletal mobility, blood circulation and muscle toning. Its hard to check the tabs of truth about chiropractic medicine since it is still holistic by large, but since most chiropractic patients experience amazing results, its hard to pull the curtain on chiropractic lower back muscle treatment.

Acupuncture Thin, pre-sterilized, disposable needles are used by acupuncture treatments to re-establish the proper flow of blood through the back, alleviating lower back muscle pain. The resulting flow increases circulation for oxygen, blood and lymph nodes work together and hasten the healing process. A research conducted by medical specialists has shown that indeed, acupuncture cause the release of neuro-chemicals such as endorphins, enkephalins, serotonin and corticosteroids all of which contribute to the reduction of pain and inflammation.

Therapy and Massage

Therapy and massage is a common path taken by lower back muscle pain sufferers for relief. In fact, medical science always refer massage therapy as a legitimate aid for lower back pain and an effective adjunct to lower back treatments. 54% of doctors refer therapy and massage as a complement to the regimen that they prepare for their patients. Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami conducted a 2001 research on massage and back pain. They found that “massage lessened lower back pain, depression and anxiety, and improved sleep. The massage therapy group also showed improved range of motion and their serotonin and dopamine levels were higher.”

Stretching Exercise for Back Pain

It seems that hamstring is somewhat related to most cases of back pains. During cases of back pains, the hamstring becomes less elastic and more rigid, causing more stress and strain to the lower back muscles and stretches for back pain may be necessary. Therefore it is really a good idea to go out running once in a while. Benefits you can get while doing a good 15 minute run are so countless.

But in cases that you cannot afford to run, doing a hamstring stretching exercise for back pain is optional. This stretching exercise for back pain is designed to apply pressure on lengthening the hamstring. This exercise should take at least 30 – 45 seconds and should be done in two sets for each day. During the regimen, avoid stretching too fast. If you cannot reach the intended spot, slowly stretch until you reach your limit. Avoid stretch bouncing as this can cause muscles tearing.

By the way, we call this hamstring stretching exercise for back pain, though this is simply the most common bending exercise. We call it this way so that we have the general idea on what it’s supposed to do. While standing, simply bend forward, with legs relatively straight. Then try to touch your toes and hold the position for 30 – 45 seconds. There are some others who do this easy, so instead of just reaching your toes, bend over until you can completely embrace your knees.

Trunk Rotation Exercise for Back Pain

Back muscle strength and flexibility always let you avoid back pain since they are essential in maintaining the neutral spine position. That’s why exercises for back pain always target these muscle groups. The trunk rotation exercise is designed to strengthen the hip muscles and promotes flexibility of the spine.

To start, prepare a length of pole 2 meters long (or as long or loner than your arms’ width). Prepare something that’s smooth and round and a bit heavy. Ideally, a heavy piece of wooden pole should be used. Sling it over your shoulders and arms and the nape of your neck. Now, stand up straight and slowly swing the pole left and right in a circular motion. Do not over extend your swing as this can cause herniated disc. Do for about 3 minutes and you will start to feel the effects the trunk rotation has on your hips and back muscles.

Always remember that these exercises can be enjoyed by those without back pain. Every exercise is therapeutic but can always be preventive as well. So live an active lifestyle, and enjoy life without back pain.

Severe Back Pain Relief

Back pain is blamed, generally for poor muscle tone especially on the affected area. Overall, 90% of chronic back pain sufferers are individuals (professionals, housewives, students…) that seldom see an exercise regimen. And the other 10% have the condition due to injury such as ripped muscles.

If you have severe back pain, you are not alone. Back pain the one of the most common neurological complaint that physicians diagnose in the United States, next to headache. So it’s no cause to fret if you have one. And no, most back pain is not always associated with age (though age DOES have an effect on back pain), instead it is the lack of physical activity and deficiency in liquid intake.

Defining the pain is important in order to control it. And for purposes of our definition, we categorize back pain into three categories. We have the Acute Back Pain, Chronic Back Pain, and the Neuropathic Back Pain. Acute back pain is a common type of pain that is directly related to a damage tissue. It is experienced immediately, characterized by sharp, biting pain of a damaged tissue. It is generally accepted that acute back pain lasts less than 3 months if left untreated. If the pain persists longer after it has been healed or treated then it falls now under the classification of chronic back pain. Chronic back pain falls into two sub categories: pain with an identifiable pain generator and pain without an identifiable pain generator. The former obviously has a cause, such as: degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and other spinal structure problems due to injury. The latter is more a disease rather than a symptom of an injury. And for purposes

As long as you have no serious physical injury or occurring illness, chronic back pain relief is very achievable. It’s all in the problem approach. First thing is identifying the problem. Was it just stress or a serious defunct? Don’t be hasty in dismissing it as stress. Look for other telltale signs. Are you having fever? Are other parts of your body hurting? If so, then look for other signs. Common culprits are appendicitis, hepatitis and gastrointestinal complications. Next is identifying the pain type. Is it muscular or structural? Structural poses a difficult situation, you may have herniated discs. If muscular, ripped muscle is common but usually harmless cause.

Doing Tai Chi is one effective chronic back pain relief. It promotes good posture and the meditation improves your ability to withstand the pain. If done regularly, these exercises would equate doing a good aerobic exercise with also eases bad backs. Bending exercises also helps in chronic back pain relief though somewhat lesser in efficiency.Alternately, you could purchase a back pain machine. The TENS machine is surprisingly an effective chronic back pain relief and it is handy, portable, and quite cheap.

In a word, I would suggest using a TENS machine for immediate chronic back pain relief and Tai Chi for the long lasting prevention for back pain.