Back pain occurs when one or more vertebrae in your spine move out of their normal position. This can be due to a traumatic event such as a car accident, or it can be from degenerative processes such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis.
Fortunately, Back Pain Specialist treats back pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can reduce your symptoms.
Back pain can cause you to lose sleep, eat poorly and feel stressed. It can even interfere with work and your daily activities. The good news is that chronic back pain can often be treated with physical therapy. In fact, it can be much less expensive than a surgical procedure or taking prescription medications.
Physical therapists treat not only the symptoms of back pain but also the underlying causes. Their treatment plans include a combination of manual therapies, like spinal manipulation and dry needling, and exercise. They may also teach you how to avoid movements or postures that could exacerbate your back pain.
Physiotherapy is most effective when it is followed by a regular schedule of exercise at home. Stick to your physical therapist’s instructions, including the number and order of exercises, and the duration and intensity of each workout.
The goal of physiotherapy is to improve your strength and mobility, which will reduce your discomfort and prevent future flare-ups. It can also help you avoid the “terrible triad,” which is a vicious cycle that occurs when back pain lasts for more than 12 weeks:
In addition to addressing your immediate pain, physical therapy can help you make permanent lifestyle changes. For example, if you’re suffering from a herniated disc, it’s likely that the weakened muscles around that area will be pulled and strained during normal activities, such as bending over in the morning to get dressed.
Your PT can recommend specific back or neck exercises to address your pain and improve your range of motion. In addition, a physiotherapist can instruct you in ergonomics to make sure that your workspace is set up to protect your back. He or she can also teach you how to properly lift and carry heavy objects, and recommend techniques for sitting and walking that are low-impact. He or she might also recommend heat and cold therapies, TENS, and other modalities to ease your pain.
Back pain can be caused by many things, from muscle strain to medical conditions that affect the spine. When the pain is mild to moderate, OTC medications can often offer relief. The most common is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen or naproxen, which reduces inflammation and can ease pain. However, if your back pain is severe or long-lasting, you may benefit from prescription medication.
A sedative such as a muscle relaxant can also help. This type of medication works by influencing the way nerves in your body and brain respond to pain signals. Because it’s a sedative, you don’t take this type of medication long term, only as needed to relieve back pain.
Another type of medication is an opioid, which is used to treat pain that’s very severe or that doesn’t respond to other treatments. This type of medication changes the way your brain and spinal cord respond to pain signals, but it comes with risks like addiction, dependence and death. Because of these risks, we use opioids as a last resort in treating severe back pain.
We might also prescribe a painkiller that acts as a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine cream, which is available over the counter in small quantities and as a topical patch with a doctor’s prescription. Other topical pain medicines that we might prescribe include acetaminophen (Tylenol) or capsaicin creams and patches. Capsaicin, a substance found in chili peppers, blocks the pain signal from reaching your brain and can ease chronic pain.
X-rays might show the cause of your back pain, such as arthritis or broken bones. However, x-rays don’t show how back muscles, ligaments, nerves or disks are functioning.
Alternative treatments can also help reduce back pain, such as massage, chiropractic manipulation or acupuncture. A practitioner of acupuncture inserts thin sterilized needles into specific points on your body. Research suggests that a combination of these treatments might improve back pain in some people. However, always talk to your health care provider before trying an alternative therapy. He or she can explain the benefits and risks of these treatments for you.
When a woman is on bed rest, she’s required to stay in a reclining position, usually in a hospital or at home. A doctor may prescribe this rest for a variety of reasons, such as concern about a shortened cervix or a health condition that could cause premature labor. While some women who are on bed rest feel frustrated and sad, others embrace it as a chance to slow down and take care of herself and her family.
Prolonged periods of inactivity are known to have serious physiological effects. For example, muscles lose their conditioning, which can lead to poor circulation and stiff joints. A person who stays on bed rest for a long period of time may also develop digestive issues, such as constipation and indigestion. Moreover, bones are at risk of becoming weak or fractured because they don’t bear weight on a regular basis.
Extended periods of inactivity are widely recognized for their significant physiological consequences. For instance, the lack of physical activity can result in the deterioration of muscles, leading to impaired blood circulation and inflexible joints. Additionally, individuals who remain confined to bed for an extended duration may experience digestive problems, including constipation and indigestion. Furthermore, the absence of regular weight-bearing activities puts bones at risk of becoming fragile or susceptible to fractures.
People who are on bed rest can also suffer from a sense of depression or fatigue, and it’s important to talk with a doctor about these symptoms. In addition, it’s essential to find ways to keep the mind active and to get some physical activity, such as walking or yoga.
People who are confined to bed rest may also experience feelings of depression or exhaustion, and it is crucial to consult a physician regarding these symptoms. Moreover, it is imperative to explore methods of engaging the mind and incorporating some form of physical activity, such as taking walks or practicing yoga.
Although many obstetricians are no longer prescribing bed rest, some still recommend it for certain conditions, such as preeclampsia, multiple gestations or complications with the placenta or cervix. Studies haven’t shown that the practice is effective, though, and it can cause a variety of problems for both mother and baby.
Despite the fact that numerous obstetricians have ceased prescribing bed rest, there are still some who advocate for it in specific cases, such as preeclampsia, multiple gestations, or complications with the placenta or cervix. However, studies have not demonstrated the effectiveness of this practice, and it can potentially lead to various issues for both the mother and the baby.
“We’ve never seen a single study show that it works,” says Anne Drapkin Lyerly, a bioethicist at the She has reviewed the scientific research on bed rest and its effect on a wide range of pregnancy problems, including a shortened cervix. She warns that doctors and other health care providers need to think hard before prescribing this form of treatment, which the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists cautions against for several medical reasons.
Anne Drapkin Lyerly, a bioethicist at the asserts that there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of bed rest. In her comprehensive analysis of scientific research on the impact of bed rest on various pregnancy complications, such as a shortened cervix, she emphasizes the importance for healthcare professionals to carefully consider the implications before recommending this treatment. It is worth noting that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against bed rest for several medical reasons.