Managing Back Pain: Common Causes and Treatments

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Back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Symptoms range from achy, sore muscles to shooting pain and can be debilitating. Depending on the severity of your pain, back issues might inhibit your range of motion, standing, or walking. The causes of this pain are varied, as are treatments. Treatments to alleviate symptoms are dependent on the severity and source of the pain. While natural remedies may reduce symptoms in less severe cases, more invasive treatments might be necessary in more severe cases.

For example, scoliosis is a spine condition caused by the curving and twisting of the spine. A largely genetic disorder that has a high frequency of occurrence in children, scoliosis can lead to lower pain in the lower back and stiffness of the back and shoulders. If left untreated, scoliosis can become degenerative and result in severe nerve and muscle damage, so if you think you may have scoliosis you should reach out to a doctor sooner rather than later. Depending on the type of scoliosis and the severity of scoliosis you may have the treatment will vary. You can learn about types of scoliosis by reading up on it. The Scoliosis Research Society has a lot of useful information online.

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Muscle strain can arise from an accident, a sports injury, or from repeated heavy lifting. More simply, it can emerge as a result of poor posture or an unhealthy work setup. All of these incidents can lead to persistent back pain. If you are in poor physical condition, you will be particularly susceptible to muscle strain and, consequently, to back spasms and chronic pain. Back pain can also be caused by osteoarthritis, which can impact the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, which can lead to persistent back pain.

There are many ways to treat these back conditions, ranging from a few drops of CBD oil or seeing a massage therapist to surgical treatment. Read on to learn about possible treatments and their side effects.

Dietary supplements

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Before relying on medications, you may benefit from trying natural remedies first. Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your daily diet can play a significant role in reducing inflammatory reactions in your body. Turmeric contains high levels of Curcumin, which has a high concentration of anti-inflammatory properties. This yellow spice originally found in Asia can be brewed as a tea, taken as a supplement, or mixed into foods. Other powerful anti-inflammatory supplements include Vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids.

Natural medication

Consistently taking painkillers or other medications to alleviate back pain may be addicting and can result in long-term adverse side effects. However, there are natural treatments to reduce pain, with CBD products being among one of the most popular options today. CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is an active ingredient found in the cannabis plant. Research increasingly shows that this natural extract, which contains only minimal levels of THC(tetrahydrocannabinol), is an effective alternative to pain management. Seeing as CBD contains less than 0.3% THC, you won’t experience any psychoactive effects. All you’ll experience is the relaxation and relief created by the CBD.

Available in the form of oils, tinctures, and edibles, as well as smokable products such as CBD hemp flowers, CBD products, are a minimally invasive way to treat back pain. After consulting a doctor, try out a variety of strains of hemp flowers such as Hawaiian Haze and Sour Space Candy, to find the strain most effective to your needs. Make sure you’re getting only the best CBD products by buying all-natural hemp flowers or CBD oil from Plain Jane.

Massage therapy

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Do you have back pain from your work setup? Perhaps your desk, chair, or daily routine has caused strain to your back. Massage is an effective treatment that has the ability to reduce pain, soothe sore muscles, and realign the energy in the body to enable healing. A remedial massage, which typically involves deep tissue techniques, relieves tension, stress, and discomfort the body is holding. This holistic treatment addresses chronic pain, sports injuries, and achy muscles. A remedial massage therapist can work on specific areas that may be causing pain, and various types of massage — sports massage, Swedish massage, and more — can target your specific needs as well. Massage is particularly effective when combined with other treatments and exercises to promote overall well-being.

Exercise

Consult a specialist before engaging in any type of heavy exercise to prevent further exacerbation of your pain. If done mindfully and carefully, exercise is a phenomenal way to treat and reduce pain. Exercises that involve slow, deep stretching such as yoga can help open up your body, improve posture, and reduce muscle tension. Carefully strengthening your back and stomach muscles through core exercise will also reduce back pain over time.

Surgery

Surgery should never be the first option. However, if you have exhausted all other treatments and are still suffering from debilitating back pain, your doctor may suggest scoliosis surgery as an option for scoliosis treatment. Scoliosis fusion surgery can help correct the curvature of the spine caused by degenerative scoliosis. Consult with an orthopedic surgeon who will be able to provide medical advice and recommend scoliosis surgery if they believe it’s the best way to treat your specific type of scoliosis. Early intervention is best and can help you avoid scoliosis surgery, but if your doctor recommends a surgical treatment it may be the way to go. Make sure to ask if you are at high risk and how long the recovery time will be. Get all the information before the first incision.

This treatment should only be used after exploring physical therapy and natural, low-impact interventions such as massage and acupuncture. Remember, a holistic approach is always best, incorporating a healthy diet, exercise, and gentle remedies together to improve health and reduce pain.

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