The Complete Guide to Low Back Pain and Sciatica Treatment
Low back pain and sciatica are very common. Over 80 per cent of individuals have at least an episode of back pain. Even though back pain is not usually a serious medical problem and usually goes away by itself, it can be annoying if it interferes with everyday life. Sciatica is a casual term for the kind of lumbar radiculopathy: ache and other signs initiated by irritation of the root of the lumbar nerve. There can also be back pain.
Some Causes of Sciatica and Low Back Pain
Some factors increase the risk of developing back pain. These include old age, smoking, overweight, female gender, hard or sedentary work, job dissatisfaction, work-related stress, and mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.
Low Back Pain Treatment
It is difficult to do the usual things if you are experiencing low back pain, and it can be annoying to feel that you are just waiting for it to get well. Here are some simple steps to treat low back pain.
- Stay active – many individuals are afraid of hurting their back or delaying recovery while staying active. However, staying active is the best thing you can do for your rear. If you feel pain, you may need to rest your back during the day. It may be calmer to lie on your back with a pillow beneath your knees and lift your head and shoulders.
- Heat – Use of a heated wrap or heating pad may relieve back pain in the first weeks. It is not clear whether a cold helps, but some people may find that they temporarily relieve pain.
- Changes at work – it is recommended for individuals with low back pain to work as long they are able, to avoid prolonged sitting or standing and lifting weights. If you cannot stand or sit still, you may need to take a break to recover. At work, it may be useful to step on a block of wood with one foot (and regularly change your foot on the block).
- Training – Starting a new training program immediately after a new episode of back pain does not speed recovery from a severe episode. Though, there is proof that exercise is advantageous for people with prolonged back pain.
- Massage – There is no proof that massage is in effect for acute back pain. Though, you may find that it usually relaxes and helps you to temporarily feel better.
- Switching to a more durable mattress – People time and again wonder if sleeping on a more durable mattress helps prevent or treat back pain. Small studies have shown that using a less strong mattress is more expected to get rid of the pain. Though, there is not enough proof to transfer this cause to a particular type of sleep surface.
In conclusion, low back pain and sciatica treatment can be achieved through the methods discussed above. It is worth trying the above methods before considering surgery. Low back pain and sciatica is a problem that can be managed if it’s in the early stages.
