How can a person alleviate back pain without taking tons of drugs?

Question

I recently pulled something in my back and it's incredibly sore. Are their any remedies for relieving back pain, besides pills.

Answer 1

It becomes imperative to determine the cause of the distress, not just to alleviate it. As far as qualifications to treat such a condition, one must become aware; a chiropractor's education puts him on equal ground with a neurologist... so he is well qualified to make those decisions which would direct the patient for treatment or referral.

Oddly, their history usually indicates the people they have to treat have already been thru the medical process, with no relief. Even after surgical intervention.

Answer 2

Strengthen your abdominal muscles. Don't do this by the traditional sit-ups. They can actually strain the back. Cathy Smith has several exercise tapes, all of which -- at least the ones that I have had -- have an abs section. She is a great instructor.

Anytime you are in water up to your chest level, your abs work to maintain your balance. There are some terrific exercises you can do in the water for ab strengthening. A good health club with pool will usually have someone trained in aqua exercises who can help you learn these. Often they utilize what is called a noodle, and those are my favorites. They are easy, fast, and effective.

Someone already talked about massage. It is the one thing I still do, beside the abs, that helps my back. And it keeps me away from the Rx's. Rx pain meds are very hard to get off of once you start. I think they may help one keep overdoing and straining oneself instead of healing oneself because they mask the pain involved that warns us to stop. They are hard to get off of also.

Find time to lie down during the day for a few minutes if you can. And give your back a break from lifting anything over 10-20 lbs.

Someone already mentioned hot or warm baths or showers, they help.

You may need physical therapy for a short time to get going. I don't think they would say much different than those who have answered, but he/she may know some good practitioners and also would be able to prescribe therapies that you might otherwise have to pay for out of pocket or not be able to take off your taxes...always a good thing!


God bless you and good luck!

Answer 3

I can sympathize with your pain. A few years ago, I had back surgery to alleviate a herniated disk. Although the surgery was successful, I have residual numbness in my legs and occasional back pain episodes. I have relied on physical therapy exercises to strenghten and alleviate some pain.
You can find some examples of exercises on www.back.com
I usually alternate heat and ice to help with the inflammation too.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 4

Physical Therapy; they will give you a home exercise program that will not only make your back better, but help to prevent this from happening in the future. Good luck. And you are right not to want to take a bunch of drugs. It just masks the problems. Drugs are good at that!

Answer 5

Once you've tried a chiropractor, you might try sleeping with a very large pillow underneath your knees. In desperation from Sciatic pain, I began to sleep with a rolled up blanket underneath my knees. After doing this for a few months, I have very little pain. Other parts hurt, but not my back.

Answer 6

Look for some stretches that work that part of your back. My doctor gave me some for my lower back when I was having a lot of pain and they seemed to work. Hot showers or baths, heating pads, etc can help.

Answer 7

it's a PED. it's legal in Nevada. like caffein- it is a "drug" that you can take to enhance your performance. caffein is not banned. increasing your pain threshold with a drug enables you to perform better. without it. floyd won't survive 12 rounds or be able to throw strong punches all 12 rounds. floyd's style of fighting requires him a lot of rounds before winning.

Answer 8

I pulled my neck and my back out afew years ago i went to have a thereputic massage i couldnt believe the pain was gone within hours

Answer 9

A good massage followed by a heating pad. My mother used to have back problems most people wouldn't believe. That's how I helped her hold down her waitressing job.

Answer 10

This may help... sit on your knees on the floor... put your hands flat down in front of you and slide them forward until your back is arched and your chest is parallel to the floor... go as far as you can and then back to start position. Then, lay on your stomach on the floor and put your palms face down like you are about to doa push up, but keep your legs straight in back of you on the floor, push up with your arms and your back with arch again.