Back injuries can be incredibly frustrating because they can cause a great deal of suffering, they can impact just about every aspect of daily life, and take a long time to recover from. Not only this but managing a back injury can be challenging and much different from other types of injuries. Whether it is sciatica, a lumbar facet injury, muscle strain, or a herniated disc, it is important that you know how to properly manage your back injury so that you can heal and improve your quality of life. This article will offer a few of the best tips for managing a back injury that should help.
Speak With Your Doctor
The most important step to take is to speak to your doctor. It is important to get the advice of a medically trained professional, especially when you consider that every back injury is different. They will be able to properly diagnose your injury, prescribe medication if required and suggest the best way to treat your injury. Listen carefully to what they have to say and take notes. If it is a serious injury, they will be able to discuss treatment options as well.
Use OTC Pain Relief
If you are not prescribed any medication for your injury, then it is a good idea to take over-the-counter pain relief. This can relieve the pain and inflammation and make the injury a lot more bearable. Always read the information carefully and follow the directions for use exactly.
Take It Easy
One of the more challenging aspects of a back injury is that lying down all day will only make the injury worse. At the same time, you must be careful and avoid doing any kind of activity that will make the injury worse. Therefore, it is important that you rest and take it easy, but also remain active. A hard balancing act. Activities like walking can be good for a back injury, but you want to avoid anything involving lifting or bending over.
Use Ice & Heat Therapy
Along with OTC pain relief, ice and heat therapy can be another effective home remedy that will help with your pain levels. Ice can be used to reduce swelling and inflammation and is best used shortly after the injury. You can use a heat pack to increase blood flow to the area and promote healing.
Look Into Stem Cell Treatment
You should also look into stem cell treatments, as this is becoming an increasingly popular option for treating a wide range of back injuries. Stem cell treatments allow for the natural repair of damaged tissue and can help to alleviate pain, improve motor function and heal from the injury. Cell therapy can be life-changing for those that are suffering from a back injury, and you only have to read the testimonials at specialists like bioxcellerator.com to see how effective this can be for back injuries. Additionally, stem cell treatments are a lot less invasive and do not require a long recovery time, unlike having surgery.
Back injuries can be incredibly frustrating and take a long time to recover from, but the information in this post should be useful and help you through the process.