Minimize Back Pain at Home
Do you experience frequent back pain? If so, is it mild,
moderate, or severe? If you don't get back pain on a regular
basis, have you ever suffered from acute discomfort in your
neck, upper back, or lower back? Perhaps you lifted something
that was too heavy or yanked open a door the wrong way. In any
case, you understand how painful a sore back can be, and its
effect on daily activities involved with your job or your
family. Simple actions like getting into a car or climbing steps
can become excruciatingly difficult when your back has been
injured in a significant way.
After experiencing an injury, fall, or other event that may
precipitate back pain, make an appointment to see your doctor
for a physical exam and any diagnostic tests that need to be
done. Your physician will evaluate your symptoms and establish
an impression of your condition, along with a plan of care for
treating it. Often a back injury will require plenty of rest.
But the doctor also may prescribe medication like painkillers
and anti-inflammatory medicine that can help to reduce pain and
swelling. Your doctor may advise bed rest or restricted
activities to give any strains or tears a chance to heal. In
some cases, you may need to take physical or occupational
therapy to learn how to reuse some muscles or bones in your back
if they have been injured or have had to recuperate.
At home on your own, you can take several important steps to
help your condition improve. The most important thing you can do
is to follow the doctor's orders. Don't try to second-guess a
medical expert. Just do as you're told unless you have a serious
concern that the doctor's advice is way off base. Then you can
seek a second opinion from a qualified medical expert to see
whether it confirms or contradicts the first expert's opinion.
Another thing you can do is report any negative change in your
symptoms to the doctor. He or she may need to reevaluate your
condition and perhaps change the treatment plan. If you
experience an allergic reaction or side effect to the
medication, the doctor will want to know about it and provide
alternative medicine.
Don't overexert yourself at home. Let family members help with
household tasks, and allow them to assist you with daily care,
as needed. Avoid undertaking any strenuous activities that could
lead to a setback in your recovery. Take medications as
prescribed, since taking more than recommended could lead to an
overdose or drug dependency, and taking less than what you need
may extend the recovery period or increase pain and
inflammation.
No one enjoys a back injury. It can cause you to lose work, be
unable to enjoy leisure activities, and make life more difficult
in many ways. That's why you should take advantage of any
at-home rest therapy that is ordered and don't try to rush
things on your own.