Achieving Lasting Back Pain Relief: Strategies for Long-Term Success

  • Tim
  • February 2, 2023
  • 7:17 AM
  • 0 comments


Introduction

Back pain can be a debilitating and frustrating condition to have. It can make everyday activities difficult, and it can be hard to find relief. Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies you can use to achieve lasting back pain relief. In this article, we'll look at the causes of back pain, the symptoms, and some short-term and long-term strategies you can use to find relief. We'll also explore additional treatments and therapies that may help, as well as tips for prevention and maintenance.

Introduction to Back Pain Relief

If you have lower back pain, you're part of one in six Australians who also suffer from lower back pain(1). Back problems and back pain are the second most common reason why Australians seek a doctor and one of the top five presentations to emergency departments(2). The presentation can range from mild to severe, and various factors contribute. Many people with lower back pain don't seek help. Although lower back pain is common in older populations, around 1 in 3, children can also have lower back pain (3). Therefore, it's essential to understand the causes and symptoms of back pain and the multiple treatments available to help find relief.

Causes of Back Pain

When you search on Google for "causes of back pain", you will likely find pain that arises from structural or mechanical problems such as discs, muscles, ligaments, tendon damage etc. Other more intimidating terms include arthritis, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. Although we see back pain with specific pathology, some causes are 'nonspecific' in nature, meaning there is no attributable or recognisable specific pathology. We often see moderate to severe back pain in the clinic, which was left for months to years before being treated. Many who come in acutely (<1 week after onset) have often had previous episodes of back pain. The diagnosis can vary, but usually, symptoms start from a specific movement that triggered the pain, overuse and overloading through work or sustained poor posture and weakness in supporting structures.

Symptoms of Back Pain

The symptoms of back pain can vary depending on the cause. Still, they usually include pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. In addition, those symptoms often change intensity throughout the day and night. Therefore, knowing what triggers the symptoms and what relieves the symptoms help clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of back pain.

Other symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs. If you experience these symptoms, you see a physiotherapist or doctor directly to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Back Pain Relief

Various treatment options are available for back pain relief, including physiotherapy, medication, other allied health support, surgery and corticosteroid injections (CSI). There are mixed opinions and research on surgery vs conservative back pain treatment. In the short term, surgery can give the perception of a faster recovery rate; however, after a year, most conservative and surgical patients will achieve similar outcomes (4). It is the health professional's role to assess and provide a precise diagnosis, but also to understand the needs and value of their patient. Listening to the patient and having an open conversation is crucial to deciding the appropriate action.

Short-Term Strategies for Back Pain Relief

You can use some short-term strategies to find relief from back pain. Depending on your symptoms, some over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, can help reduce inflammation and pain. Cold and hot packs, when used correctly, can provide pain relief and muscle relaxation. Back braces can also provide extra support when used for short periods. However, long-term use of back braces can increase symptoms if the cause is related to weakness of support muscle. Manual therapy, such as massage and acupuncture, can also provide short-term benefits—physiotherapists often couple manual therapy with exercise and movement appropriate to your symptoms to optimise recovery.

Long-Term Strategies for Back Pain Relief

In addition to short-term strategies, you can use long-term strategies to find lasting back pain relief. For example, the current research supports exercise as the most beneficial for back pain (5). Exercise modalities vary significantly from lifting weights, yoga, clinical Pilates, and other movement therapy. Some patients have no exercise experience, and other patients have a preference for sports or movements. Consequently, your physiotherapist can provide a tailored exercise program to suit your preference, lifestyle, and goals. At Back To Life Physio, we value physiotherapists who practice a range of movement therapy options first-hand to provide you with experienced coaches.

Walking for Back Pain Relief

Something as simple as walking can be the best exercise you can ever do for your back. Although there is limited literature to support this belief (6), it is common for back pain to arise from prolonged sedentary activity. Often an exercise that is manageable to start with is walking, and it works well in the early stages. However, some people may have aggravated symptoms with walking. Please speak with your physiotherapist or doctor for professional advice.

Alternative Therapies and Treatments for Back Pain Relief

There are a variety of alternative therapies and treatments that can help with back pain relief. For example, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy can all help reduce pain and improve flexibility. Additionally, aromatherapy, reflexology, and herbal remedies may be beneficial for some people. Depending on your preference, all practitioners are there to help support you. Understanding complementary therapies and Western medicine is an important value of Back To Life Physio. You can ask your physio to understand better what can work for you.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips for Lasting Back Pain Relief

In addition, there are some prevention and maintenance tips you can use to help find lasting back pain relief. For example, exercise in many forms can provide lasting comfort and reduce the chance of another 'episode' of back pain. Additionally, good eating and sleeping habits can improve your overall well-being.

Suppose you feel equipped with the right skills and knowledge by your therapist. A gym membership could give you various options, from lifting to aerobics, yoga, and Pilates. Alternatively, personal trainers are great experts to seek for guided and supervised exercise.

Conclusion

Back pain can be a frustrating and debilitating condition. Still, there are a variety of strategies you can use to achieve lasting relief. Understanding the causes and symptoms of back pain and the various treatments and therapies available can help you find the relief you need. Additionally, discussing long-term strategies, such as lifestyle changes, exercise therapy, and postural changes, can help reduce pain and improve your overall well-being. If you're looking for lasting back pain relief, book an appointment with a physiotherapist to get rid of your back pain.

  • Tim
  • February 2, 2023
  • 7:17 AM
  • 0 comments

References

  1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Back problems. Canberra: AIHW; 2020.
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australian hospital statistics: Emergency department care 2020–21External link. Table 4.9: The 20 most common principal diagnoses (3 character level) for emergency department presentations, states and territories, 2020-21 [Spreadsheet]. [Internet] Canberra AIHW; 2022.
  3. Maher, C., Underwood, M., & Buchbinder, R. (2017). Nonspecific low back pain. The Lancet, 389(10070), 736-747. Retrieved from https://cor-kinetic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/non-specific-low-back-painmaher2016.pdf
  4. Jacobs, W. C., van Tulder, M., Arts, M., Rubinstein, S. M., van Middelkoop, M., Ostelo, R., ... & Peul, W. C. (2011). Surgery versus conservative management of sciatica due to a lumbar herniated disc: a systematic review. European Spine Journal, 20, 513-522. Retrieve from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00586-010-1603-7
  5. Henchoz, Y., & So, A. K. L. (2008). Exercise and nonspecific low back pain: a literature review. Joint Bone Spine, 75(5), 533-539. 
  6. Hendrick, P., Te Wake, A. M., Tikkisetty, A. S., Wulff, L., Yap, C., & Milosavljevic, S. (2010). The effectiveness of walking as an intervention for low back pain: a systematic review. European Spine Journal, 19(10), 1613–1620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-010-1412-z