Treatment and Prevention
The best treatment for acute back pain caused by an injury is to avoid re-injuring the area. In the past, complete bed rest was advised. Modern treatment consists of rest combined with gentle activities. Keeping your knees and hips slightly bent will make you more comfortable. Normally, two to four days of bed rest is enough. More time may be needed in the case of a slipped disc. It's not good to stay in bed too long - ask your doctor if and how much bed rest your injury needs. The goal is to resume normal activities as soon as possible. You may need prescription painkillers if your back pain is severe.
A lumbosacral corset is a splint that goes around the waist and pelvis. It often helps to stabilize chronic ligament sprains and muscle strains in overweight people but is usually only used when other treatments have not been effective. If you are overweight, an important part of your treatment is to lose weight.
As well as losing weight, most people are advised to improve their posture, or lift weights to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the lower back. Strength training is a normal part of recovering from any muscle or ligament injury. Before starting an exercise program, discuss the activity first with your doctor and learn how to do the exercises properly.
Very occasionally, slipped discs require surgery to decompress them. This may include deliberately fusing two vertebrae together. The operation shouldn't restrict back movement in any noticeable way.
Osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis are treated with various medications depending on the severity of the condition. Exercise therapy and physiotherapy, in combination with medications, is also helpful.
Some back pain recurs over and over. Even the most thorough investigations may not find signs of injury or disease in some people. Speak to your doctor about exercises, physiotherapy, massage, or other therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractic, or manual physiotherapy. These approaches to treatment are often very helpful in reducing pain. However, too much manipulation of arthritic joints may cause irritation and short-term worsening of symptoms. Your doctor can help you know if this may apply to you.