You may feel anxious or helpless as a result of your lower back pain. Take back a measure of control by incorporating the following 4 pain-relief suggestions into your daily routine:
1. Cold therapy
There are a lot of recent high-tech innovations for combating back pain. But a simple cold pack remains an effective and proven method for treating your aching back.
Typically, cold therapy is most effective when it is applied soon after an injury occurs (within the first 24 to 72 hours); or after any activity that causes pain and/or stiffness. Cold therapy can also be helpful when it comes to alleviating postoperative pain and discomfort.
There are a number of options for applying cold therapy, including a frozen water bottle or gel pack. You may also find that combining cold therapy with a massage brings even more relief.
2. Heat therapy
Like cold therapy, heat therapy is a tried and true method for back pain relief. There are numerous benefits associated with heat therapy, including:
- Spurring the flow of healing oxygen and nutrients to your lower back
- Inhibiting the transmission of pain signals to your brain
- Decreasing stiffness through the stretching of your soft tissues
Heat therapy is typically applied following the initial 24 to 72 hours after an injury. But if you suffer from chronic back pain you might try alternating heat and cold therapy until you find what works best for you.