Back injuries are incredibly common. Back injuries are caused by various issues. For example, you can overextend or overuse your back muscles, experience trauma, or lift something too heavy. If you’ve injured your back, you want to get on the road to recovery as quickly as possible. The treatment you need depends on the severity of the injury. Let’s look at some of the most common treatments for back injuries.
If your back injury isn’t severe, you can likely treat it at home. Rest is critical for treating a back injury. You do not have to lie in bed all day, but you should avoid any activities that will cause your back to hurt. You do want to walk a bit to keep your muscles strong. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate the discomfort. If your symptoms don’t improve within two weeks, it is time to see a doctor.
Your doctor might treat you with medications. Muscle relaxants can soothe tight muscles and help you feel better. However, these medications will make you tired, and you cannot drive on them.
Your doctor also might recommend a cortisone injection. An injection will reduce the inflammation and help your back heal. You should experience instant pain relief after an injection, and you won’t have to worry about fatigue slowing you down.
Physical therapy is a common treatment for back injuries. Your physical therapist might use treatments like electrical stimulation to reduce the pain quickly. Your therapist also might use ultrasound technology, heat, and ice to help your back heal. You will also go through exercises to strengthen your back and improve your mobility. Your physical therapist will send you home with exercises for you to do between appointments as well. The exercises will help you recover from your back injury and make you less likely to experience the same injury again.
You also might benefit from additional treatments, such as yoga, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments. Your doctor will evaluate you and recommended the best options for you. It is important to get a recommendation from a doctor before engaging in any of these additional therapies. Your doctor will let you know if these therapies will help or worsen your injury.
Sometimes, surgery is the best course of action for treating a back injury. For example, if you herniated a disc when you injured your back, you might need a discectomy to repair it. Surgery is usually the last option when dealing with a back injury. Your doctor will try other treatments first, and if you don’t respond to them, you might be a good candidate for surgery.
If you have a back injury, don’t suffer in silence. There are treatment options available. You can start with at-home treatments, but if those don’t work, go to a doctor. Your doctor has medications and other tools available to help you heal from your injury. With the right treatment, you will be back on your feet and enjoying life in no time.
