Backache is an uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating condition that can be dull, sharp, stabbing, throbbing, or searing. It is one of the most common reasons for missed work and visits to the doctor, as an estimated 75% to 85% of Americans have a backache at some point in their lifetime, and nearly 50% experience more than one backache episode within a given year.
Your backache may come and go, or it may be constant. It can be due to many reasons, including strains and sprains, continuous sitting, poor posture, hairline fractures in the vertebrae, disc problems, and more.
Let’s talk about how to prevent backaches, some of the main treatments that work well for patients who have back pain, and where you can go in Dallas to finally achieve long-lasting relief from your backache.
Tips to Prevent Backache
While you can’t prevent backache that is caused by a structural problem in the spine or disease, you can avoid the injuries that tend to cause backaches. You can help to prevent the majority of backache problems by doing the following:
Maintain a Healthy Weight
You will likely suffer from backaches if you are overweight, because your vertebrae and discs are strained by the extra internal pressure. Losing weight will therefore help to reduce your chances of suffering backaches.
However, if you are underweight, then it is important to gain some weight and to take calcium supplements in order to prevent developing hairline fractures or osteoporosis in the vertebrae.
Exercise Regularly
Low-impact and no-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, and cycling are recommended to boost your health and build strength. The two most recommended practices to reduce your risk of backache are core-strengthening exercises and flexibility training. It is a good idea to see a medical professional who can show you the best exercises for your own body.
Maintain Proper Posture
Maintaining your posture and keeping your back straight while standing or sitting can help to prevent backache. When lifting something, it’s recommended to use your legs rather than your back: Squat down and pick up the object while keeping your back as straight upward as possible, rather than bending over to pick it up.
Treatment Options for Back Pain
Resting your back and using over-the-counter remedies can usually resolve a backache, but medical treatment is sometimes necessary. Treatments for a backache include:
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants to treat your backache.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can increase flexibility, improve posture, and strengthen the muscles in your back. Physical therapy often involves using heat, ice, electric stimulation, or ultrasound to relieve a backache. Your physical therapist (PT) can also recommend certain exercises that you can practice regularly to alleviate your backaches.
Injections
If non-invasive treatment options don’t relieve your backache, and especially if the back pain radiates to other body parts, your doctor may inject numbing medication and cortisone in your spine. This injection will help to reduce inflammation around your nerve roots and relieve pain.
Treatment for Backache in Dallas, TX
If you have a persistent backache and are seeking a lasting solution, visit Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine. Our chiropractic and sports medicine specialists will recommend and administer the best treatment for you and relieve your back pain.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us today at (972) 503-7272. You may also schedule a consultation through our booking scheduler online. We look forward to helping you regain a pain-free life!
