Chronic back pains can be very frustrating as almost all of our movements rely on the muscles in our torso.

A simple as sitting down, getting up, standing, walking, lifting, and many more can be an inconvenience if your back muscles are not in their proper condition.

There are many ways to deal with back pain, however, you must know the cause to avoid further aggravating it with the wrong method.

Common Causes

Most of all back pains are age-related, but some had serious injuries in the back or had procedures done in the area, which could cause incessant discomfort.

Your back pain may be caused by the following underlying conditions:

• Arthritis of the Spine

This is when the cartilage in the spine slowly decreases and the nerves are getting pinched or the cartilage rubs against each other.

• Spinal Stenosis

This causes nerve pain as the spinal fluid decreases.

• Disk Problems

This happens because of old age, accident, or due to a sports-related injury. A herniated disk is when a part of the nucleus is pushed through a gap in the annulus. Pain is experienced when a nerve is pinched.

• Myofascial Pain Syndrome

This happens when a muscle is contracted consistently for long periods or if a person is subjected to stress and anxiety.

Often called a referred pain, this chronic condition causes pain on some unrelated parts of the body when pressure is applied to other sensitive parts of the body.

Managing Chronic Back Pain

Your doctor can recommend any number of treatments, from drugs to lifestyle changes, to deal with your back pain.

This chronic condition means that it may never go away, and the pain will manifest with the slightest trigger. Here are some of the most effective ways to deal with it:

• Consult A Specialist

This is the most important thing tip when you’re dealing with back pains that just won’t go away. Recognize that every pain in the neck down to the lower back is unique with varying degrees of pain and discomfort.

Thus consulting your trusted Atlanta neurologist will be the most auspicious first step to gain relief.

Attributing to the negative effects of living in big cities like Atlanta. Here are reasons why you should need to talk to a neurologist for your chronic pain first:  

• They are specialized in diagnosing back pain, its treatments, or getting a referral for a surgeon if needed.
• A neurologist takes care of you and your progress after surgery.
• Surgeons may “lean” on surgery, which can be a daunting prospect, while a neurologist will often seek out different avenues of treatment.

 

• Physical Therapy

Exercise is considered a fundamental treatment for chronic back pain problems. With the guidance of your physician and your physical therapist, you’ll perform sets of exercises that will promote muscle strength and flexibility.

The process is done in the safest and personalized condition as every person may respond differently to each exercise.

Many of the chronic back pains are treated through physical therapy, which includes proper posture, stretching and flexibility exercises, improving pain tolerance, core strengthening, and aerobic exercises.

• Diet

Your diet is also a factor that can cause or relieve your long-term back problems.

Foods that are high in trans fats, sugar, and salt are inflammatory and could worsen the pain or discomfort.

You may also need to maintain your weight to relieve some of the stress put on your spine due to excess mass.

• Lifestyle Change

Depression, anxiety, and stress can lead to chronic physiological symptoms such as pain and discomfort on certain parts of the body.

By taking control of your emotions and managing stress and its triggers can ameliorate your condition.

There are several techniques of relaxation that promote a calming and soothing effect on your mind and body.

You can listen to music, practice yoga, or avoid circumstances that cause stress, when able.

Alcohol and smoking, though, can give momentary relief from stress that can negatively impact your body’s response to pain.

It also affects your quality of life as it aggravates moments of depression and anxiety. Learn to cope with the challenges of life without resorting to destructive vices.

Mental health professionals can recommend group therapy to help you navigate your personal challenges through others.

Depression, oftentimes, leads to isolation, which worsens the physical pain already experienced.

With group therapy, you’ll be able to gain a healthier attitude in dealing with pain and improve your strength in mind and body.

• Meditation

It’s important to recognize that chronic back problems can strain you physically and emotionally.

 

 

Managing frustrations and anxiety through mindful meditation can be a helpful treatment in dealing with pains manifested through these triggers.

Therapists specializing in rehabilitation of the mind can help adjust your cognitive tendencies to perturbation through mental exercises.

• Prescription Drugs

Steroids, pain killers, nerve blocks, muscle relaxants, nerve ablations, and other medications available can help mitigate chronic pain.

The downside is, especially with opioids, there are a lot of side effects when taken for long periods.

These medications only address the pain and not the underlying causes, which should not make them the only and permanent solution to chronic back pain.

These medications should be taken in aid of other natural and safe modes of treatment.

They are highly addictive, so they shouldn’t be taken long-term and as a sole method of managing the pain. 

• Alternative Treatment

Acupuncture, chiropractor, electrical stimulation, and other non-invasive spine treatments are also available to improve back pain problems.

You’ll need to talk to your specialist on how the procedure goes and what to expect.

It is also recommended that you get an accurate diagnosis from your physician to avoid worsening an undiagnosed injury.

Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, and the inability to function at work due to the condition is only second to the flu.

These discomforts often occur when we hit a certain age where we would still want to do more with our energy.

It’s important, when dealing with chronic pain, to be mindful of our actions and to follow the proper execution even in the most basic tasks.

 

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