6 remedies for back pain

Musculoskeletal disorders are a very important social and health problem on a global level. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 1.7 billion people around the world suffer from osteoarticular and / or muscular problems, encompassed in more than 150 disorders described clinically.

Of all of them, back pain (more specifically lumbar) is the one that reports the most problems, since it is estimated that almost 570 million inhabitants suffer from it at any given time throughout the world. world. Back pain affects 15-20% of the population annually, with a value that rises to 50% in some work areas.

In addition, this condition does not understand age: 30% of adolescents have suffered at least one episode of low back pain, although the epidemiological peak is located in adulthood, between 20 and 40 years. Surprisingly, more than 80% of the clinical pictures remain idiopathic, that is, there is no known cause attributable to the discomfort.

With all these figures, it is more than clear that

back pain is a very common problem in society and that, in most cases, requires a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, today we bring you 6 remedies to combat back pain, both behaviorally and clinically. Do not miss it.

• To know more: "Low back pain: causes, symptoms and treatment"

What are the most effective treatments for back pain?

First of all, it should be noted that back pain can be acute or chronic. Eight out of 10 people experience discomfort in this area at some point in their lives, but in most cases it is a temporary clinical sign. For example, 80% of cases of low back pain are acute, while only 20% are classified as chronic. For a pain to be chronic, it must be present continuously for more than three months.

When back pain is attributable to a bad movement and it is not impossible, it is possible to treat it from home. In any case, if the discomfort has been part of the patient's routine for months and her condition does not improve, there is no advice that is worth: it is time to go to the doctor. Based on these premises, we tell you the 6 remedies for back pain.

• You may be interested in: "How to prevent back pain in 12 effective keys"

1. Applying hot or cold compresses

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NIH) advises that, so far, it has not been proven that the application of hot and / or cold sources can eliminate the source of back discomfort in all cases.

Anyway, yes it is known that application of heat reduces muscle stiffness, pain, and local inflammation and, in addition, it increases blood flow to the affected areas (by vasodilation in response to heat stress). Therefore, it is indicated in musculoskeletal disorders and acute and subacute contractures.

The cold, on the other hand, serves to address injuries. Applying ice to an inflamed lesion lowers tissue temperature, causes vasoconstriction, slows metabolism, and has an anti-inflammatory effect. However, ice is only recommended for the first 48-72 hours after injury, when the peak of inflammation occurs.

In general, cold is the short-term treatment indicated for an injurywhereas long-term diffuse acute complaints are usually best managed with local heat. If you have any questions regarding this issue, consult a doctor before planning your home care.

2. Do not remain at rest

Bed rest should be very limited. During a clinical picture of common low back pain, bedtime is only conceived in the first moment of intense pain, with a maximum of 4 days of immovable rest, ideally less than 24 hours. The predominant skeletal muscle response when the patient remains prostrate in the same position is atrophy, which becomes more evident the older the individual.

Studies have calculated that, during a 14-day rest, the muscle volume of the quadriceps is reduced by 8.3% on average in the elderly. In young people the value is lower (5.7%), but not negligible. The longer the patient stays in bed, the more the muscles atrophy and the more difficult it will be for them to recover later.

Therefore, unless the clinical condition is specific and a doctor requires rest, you should not stay in bed for a long time. The claim that this helps recovery is totally wrongIt causes the opposite: that the muscles in the back area weaken even more.

3. Narcotic pain relievers

Pain relievers are intended to reduce pain in the patient, whether head, musculoskeletal or systemic. In this case we address major or minor opiates, also known as narcotics, which are used to treat pain so severe that it prevents the patient from working, moving and leading a life worthy.

Within this group we find codeine, morphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone and many others. These drugs chemically bind to pain receptors in the brain, blocking their sensation. This means that the patient will perceive less discomfort caused by the pathology, but unfortunately, narcotics do not address the primary etiologic agent.

After analysis of medical trials with more than 5,000 patients, it has been shown that narcotics help relieve severe back pain. In any case, it is questioned whether these drugs are more effective than others and, furthermore, their administration is not conceived for more than four months (with few exceptions). Opioids are highly addictive, so they are only sold by prescription in specific cases.

4. Analgesic drugs NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the pain relievers known to all, as many are sold freely and are used routinely to alleviate minor pain. The most famous of all is acetylsalicylic acid, popularly known, although there are also many more: diclofenac potassium, indomethacin, diflunisal, etc.

In adults and over 16 years, it is conceived the consumption of a normal dose of aspirin every 4-6 hours according to the needs, but you can never take more than 8 tablets a day. Anyway, daily use of these drugs increases the risk of stomach ulcers and other conditions, so they should only be used short-term (unless otherwise directed by your doctor).

5. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapeutic treatments will help patients with back pain to maintain their posture and prevent contractures and, in addition, they will also allow the individual to strengthen the muscle groups in the lower back. These personalized approaches will not only allow the patient to better manage their pain, but will also prevent it from reappearing in the future.

6. Surgery

When all treatments fail (or if the cause is a specific dysfunction), it's time to go under the knife, like it or not. These types of procedures are only reserved for the most serious and chronic cases., that is, 5% of all patients with back pain.

Among the typical cervical surgeries, the following stand out: anterior cervical discectomy, cervical corpectomy, facetectomy, laminoplasty, laminectomy and others. We are not going to stop at their particularities, because it is enough to know that they are modified / extracted / filed and refine certain elements of the spine in order to permanently reduce or eliminate the pain.

Resume

Unfortunately, most back pain is only addressed with patience, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, heat, and moderate activity. Staying in bed is never advisable, since it only achieves further atrophy of the muscles and prolong the recovery time. In these cases, it is necessary to find a balance between absolute physical demand and immobility.

On the other hand, if the pain is persistent and worsens over time, there may be an underlying pathological cause that needs to be addressed to eliminate the back pain. When this dull and continuous discomfort remains for more than three months, an immediate visit to a medical professional is necessary..