The Very Best Products for Self-Treating Lower Back Pain

Your Back Pain May Respond Very Well to Self-treatment

By Margaret Kohut, published Sep 20, 2006
Published Content: 19  Total Views: 29,417  Favorited By: 0 CPs
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Lower back pain is a leading cause of visits to family practice physicians and pain management physicians.  Most pain of this sort is caused by physical over-exertion; time and rest is usually the best treatment for this type of back pain.  However, lower lumbar area back pain can also be a serious condition caused by herniated spinal disks.  If you have suffered a severe back injury, make an immediate appointment with your physician!  This is not the type of pain that you should try to self-treat.  Herniated spinal disks that press on nerve endings can cause excruciating pain and even paralysis; treatment of this condition requires a physician's skill.

Many people suffer from lower back pain due to strain, improperly picking up heavy objects, slipping and falling, osteoporosis, and other causes.  If this is your case, this article contains some well-researched tips that might help you ease that annoying, painful condition.  If, however, after trying these methods you still have pain, please see your physician.  The products below have been tried and tested by back pain patients who have achieved some degree of relief.  Often, you will have to use the "trial and error" method to see which self-treatment works best for you.

First, the application of heat to the affected area is very helpful.  Sunbeam makes a heating pad that is specially designed to help relieve back pain; it is well padded, has a temperature regulator that automatically shuts off after two hours, and is large enough to reach all the way around your back.  You should NEVER sleep with an operating heating pad; this could result in severe burns.  Sunbeam's heating pad shuts itself off, a feature lacking in most other brands.  

Takeaways
  • Many types of lower back pain can be successfully self-treated.
  • Over-the-counter products are safe and effective when you follow the directions.
  • For serious back pain that persists or grows worse, see you physician ASAP.
Did You Know?
Lower lumbar back pain is a leading cause for visits to family practice physicians, pain management physicians, and chiropractors.
Resources
  • Physician's Desk Reference Consumer Reports The Pill Book
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
 
 
i slipped and my feet went into the air and my back landed first on the grass.... i hope using tylenol and heating pad heals this

Posted on 10/07/2007 at 12:10:00 PM

 
Laura, I hope it helped. I have five herniated disks in my lower back from a military duty-related injury; I will be in chronic pain for the rest of my life. My husband, a physician, advises me to give it a year before I consider surgery; sometimes back pain corrects itself although I've seen no signs as yet! And I decline to take long-term narcotics and be a zombie. Everything that's in this article, I personally practice. I do take non-narc prescription pain meds - Ultram. And I put Lidocaine patches on the painful areas - perhaps your husband could talk to his doc about these things..might help! Margaret

Posted on 09/22/2006 at 8:09:00 PM

 
I read this with interest. My husband has had chronic lower back problems for years.

Posted on 09/22/2006 at 5:09:00 PM

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