Chronic & Acute Back Pain Treatment in Bend

Chronic & Acute Back PainChronic & Acute Back Pain

Chronic and acute back pain can be treated with:

  • Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
  • Prolozone therapy
  • Platelet Rich Therapy
  • Massage Therapy

Acute back pain is pain that comes suddenly without any anticipated warning sign. It often occurs when there is a muscle spasm or cramp. Episodes of acute back pain can be rare and with no specific pattern. If the pain occurs due to an underlying back-related problem, injury, or degenerative disorder, it can become chronic. Chronic back pain can last for several days, weeks, and even months without any improvement.

Causes of acute and chronic back pain

Acute back pain is caused by muscle-related problems. When the muscles supporting the spine are not conditioned properly, they tend to become less stable. The back then compensates by adjusting and this results in pain. Other triggers of back pain include turning or leaning to reach for something causing a spasm, poor sitting posture, reaching for something in an awkward manner, doing things that one is not used to, and many more.

Naturopathic Medicine used to treat Acute and Chronic Back Pain

Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to relieve back pain. The problem with these medications is the side effects they bring. There are natural treatment methods that can provide long-lasting results.

Exercises

Although it can be a challenge to exercise when one has serious back pain, it is very important to rebuild strength.  Recommended exercises are short walks, water exercises, yoga, and other low-impact activities that can help to alleviate back pain. Exercising helps to loosen tense muscles thus releasing endorphins (natural painkillers from the brain). Once low-impact activities can be accomplished without severe pain, try stretching and strength training exercises. They make the muscles stronger and more flexible. With a proper exercise program, one can prevent future cases of back pain.

Chiropractic care

A qualified chiropractor can treat back pain naturally. Chiropractors don’t just push bones into position as most think. They are trained on how to treat various musculoskeletal problems. They evaluate the alignment of the spine to find any underlying cause of back pain and know how to prevent future back problems.

Use of pain-relief creams

Creams containing capsaicin, an ingredient obtained from hot peppers, can relieve pain in the back. Creams that have menthol often provide a cooling effect that temporarily relieves mild back pain. However, menthol creams should not be used excessively as they can make one become pain-sensitive.

Use of heat and cold

Applying ice packs directly to the injured parts can reduce pain and inflammation. Just wrap some ice packs in a towel then apply to the affected area for about 20 minutes. Cold has a numbing effect and is ideal for use on certain back pains. For achy or stiff muscles, one can use heating pads. Other alternatives include hot water bottles or heated pieces of cloth. When using heat, it is good to ensure that the heat is within a safe temperature range to avoid getting burnt.

Massage

Massage is the simplest method to help relieve back pain. It promotes the release of endorphins that induce relaxation of the muscles and the reduction of stress chemicals like noradrenaline and cortisol. It eases tensed muscles, stimulates the lymph system, and reduces pain recovery time.

Structural decompression breathing techniques

Decompression breathing can effectively promote good posture and back pain relief. It strengthens the hip flexors, supports the core, and stabilizes the spine. Just get seated, breathe in while holding your chest high and open for about 30 seconds. The procedure can be done repetitively.

Bottom Line

Back pain, whether acute or chronic can be a serious disturbance to your daily life. Although back pain can be treated using over-the-counter medications, they often come with other undesirable side effects. For natural treatments, consider techniques such as decompression breathing, heating pads and cold compresses, massage, chiropractic care, exercise, and pain-relief creams.