15 Ways to Relieve Back Pain

Get a Good Night's Sleep

One of the best ways to recover from anything is to get a good night's sleep. However, when dealing with back pain, that can be hard (and sometimes impossible). It turns into a cycle because when you don't sleep, it seems to cause the pain to feel worse- which keeps you from sleeping, and so on.

You can try a natural sleep aid to help you get a good nights’ sleep. Try the following one at a time to see if one helps you:

• Valerian Root
• Vitamins C & B-6
• L-theanine
• Melatonin

It would also help to keep in mind that a poor sleep position can cause back pain to flare up, so try lying on your side with a knee pillow. This will help ensure that your spine remains in a neutral position and relieves strain on your back. If you must sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees and make sure you have a comfortably firm mattress. 

Practice Good Posture

Now that you're older, you wish you had listened to the adults in your life when you were a child. Posture is important- slouching is bad. When you slouch, you can aggravate your back pain- especially if you sit for long periods of time. You should never slump when you're sitting at your keyboard/computer. Sit up straight with shoulders relaxed and body supported by the back of the chair. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Try placing a rolled towel or pillow between the chair and your lower back. 

OTC Medications

There are two types of OTC pain relievers that can help with back pain: acetaminophen and NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It's important to note that both do have some side effects, and not everyone can take them. Additionally, one may be more effective than the other for you. Be sure that you consult with your physician before taking any pain relievers, and don't assume that the medication will solve the problem. Research indicates that you will probably need more than one type of treatment. 

Prescription Medications

If you have tried OTC medications and are not working, you may need to consult with your physician for prescription-strength NSAIDs or even opioid medications to help with your pain. Of course, you will need to discuss any other medications you are taking with your physician or pharmacist to avoid potentially overdosing on certain ingredients. If you are also experiencing muscle spasms along with back pain, your physician may prescribe muscle relaxers in addition to pain medications.

Prevent with Anti-Inflammatory Drinks

Some research indicates that several antioxidants have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that build up in your body by consuming anti-inflammatory foods regularly. Over time, these agents can significantly reduce and even eliminate inflammation in your body. Following are a few anti-inflammatory drinks that may help with back pain:

Turmeric Milk

Turmeric is an Asian spice known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-arthritic properties. One of the easiest ways to consume this spice is by combining ½ teaspoon into a glass of warm milk. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, you can add some honey or stevia. Consume a glass just before bedtime to allow it to work while you sleep. For some people, dairy products increase the inflammatory response of the body. If this is the case, try using almond milk or other plant-based product. 

Tart Cherry Juice

Cherries are full of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Cherry juice may relieve muscle pain, which may be caused by exercise or chronic. Cherry juice is easy to find at your local grocery store and typically contains tart cherry extract. Try consuming a glass of tart cherry juice daily and see if it helps relieve your back pain. 

Ginger Green Tea

Finally, you might want to try an herbal-infused beverage, such as Ginger Green tea. This contains the pain-relieving effects of ginger and green tea. You can find Ginger Green tea bags at your local grocery store and enjoy a cup of tea no matter where you are. Over time, the anti-inflammatory agents will build up in your system- which can reduce overall inflammation and prevent new inflammation from occurring.

Antidepressant Medications

Even if you don't feel depressed, some physicians prescribe antidepressant medications as part of the treatment protocol for chronic lower back pain. It's unclear exactly how an antidepressant can treat pain, but it works. Some researchers believe the influence of the antidepressant on the chemical messengers in the body can affect pain signals.

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist can teach you proper sitting posture, standing posture, sleeping posture, and how to move to ensure your spine remains in proper alignment and strain on your back is alleviated. They can also teach you exercises that strengthen your core muscles in your back. One of the best ways to prevent back pain in the future is with a strong core. Studies have proven that increases endurance, strength, and flexibility will decrease back pain- but it won't happen overnight. 

Don't Rest Your Back

At one time, bed rest was one of the primary treatments prescribed for back pain. Current research indicates that lying still is one of the worst things you can do. It can cause back pain to worsen and potentially lead to other issues. It would help if you never rested your hurt back for more than a day. You must get moving. One of the most effective ways to quickly relieve back pain is exercise. Some of the best exercises for back pain include yoga, swimming, and walking. 

Hot/Cold Therapy

When your back is hurting, regularly applying ice to the painful areas may help with reducing pain and inflammation associated with an injury. Try doing this several times each day for up to 20 minutes. Be sure to place something between the ice pack and your skin to protect yourself from frostbite. After a few days, switch to heat and follow the same procedure. This will help relax the muscles and increase blood flow. You may also want to try warm baths to help you relax. Of course, you should never sleep with a heating pad.

Take a Hands-On Approach

There is some research indicating that massage may help with chronic back pain. One study showed that patients with chronic back pain who got a massage once a week for 10 weeks experienced decreased pain and increased functioning. These benefits lasted for about 6 months but began to dwindle after about a year.

Another option is spinal manipulation. When performed by a licensed specialist (chiropractor), this can help to ease any structural issues associated with the spine and restore any mobility that has been lost. 

Nerve Stimulation

There is some research indicating that nerve stimulation can help with reducing chronic back pain. If you are not getting relief from your back pain with conservative care, your physician may consider adding acupuncture to your treatment protocol. Another recommendation your physician might make is a TENS unit or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This is a process by which mild electrical pulses are delivered to your nerves, blocking out pain signals.

Learn more about using TENS therapy for back pain.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

While it's true that seeing a therapist/psychologist for back pain may sound strange, studies have proven that cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, effectively relieves chronic back pain both in the short term and in the long run. For example, CBT can help change the way patients with back pain think about physical activity, making them more active. Some individuals who have had CBT report a substantial decrease in their pain and disability. 

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a process where patients are attached to a machine that helps train the brain to control pain response. It teaches you to moderate breathing, muscle tension, blood flow, and heart rate. According to some research, this process is better than medication when easing back pain, and some studies have shown it reduces the intensity of pain by approximately 30%. The best part is that there are no side effects to worry about as you have with medications. 

Spinal Injections

If nothing else seems to be working to ease your back pain, your physician may recommend that you try spinal injections to reduce your back pain. There are several different options that a physician specializing in pain management may recommend. For example, a corticosteroid may reduce the inflammation causing the pain. Depending on the type of injection, your physician may limit how many doses you can have in one year to avoid potential side effects. 

Surgery

If nothing else is working, your physician may recommend back surgery. Of course, this should always be a last resort because of the risks associated with surgery. However, if you have a bulging disc that puts pressure on a nerve, your physician may do a discectomy. If you have a compressed disc, your physician may recommend a laminectomy to reduce the pressure. A spinal fusion may be recommended if you need help stabilizing your spine.