Lower back pain is a very common condition that results from many different causes. It is common amongst the aged, those who are immobile and those who have been driving for long hours. It also results from heavy lifting, twisting and improper posture. Increased awareness of this problem has led to a decrease in back injuries in the workplace as people take more precautions to avoid the same. There are numerous preventive measures and improved lower back pain treatments that are being used. The kind of treatment your doctor will recommend for you will depend on the cause, severity and how long the pain has lasted.

The treatment options available for lower back pain range from self care at home to medical management as per the doctor’s recommendation. You can start by adopting simple changes that will be helpful to your life. For example, those suffering from low back pain are advised to sleep with the pillow between the knees while lying on one side or lie flat on the bed with pillows under the knees. This is a way of increasing the comfort to your back and preventing further damage. You should however not opt for bed rest for more than 2 days as it will make your condition worse.

Exercises are also very effective low back pain treatments that will bring you relief. Walking is considered the best exercise for lower back and it should be done slowly and carefully. There are also other exercise routines you can do at home or at the gym including the pelvic tilt, the back twist, knee to chest, hamstring stretch and shoulder shrug. These exercises not only help in relieving pain but are also good for strengthening muscles and promoting movement and joint flexibility. They will help you return to your normal activities quickly enough.

There are also various forms of medication for managing lower back pain that you can use after consulting the doctor. There are the simple over-the-counter pain killers like ibuprofen that you can take for mild pain that is momentary. For more persistent pain, your doctor will prescribe for you anti-inflammatory drugs if they feel that the pain is resulting from inflammation. Steroids are also very good for reducing inflammation and are some of the most common low back pain treatments used. The doctor will examine you properly before recommending any type of pain medication to be sued.

In extreme cases of persistent low back pain, surgery may be the next option available to you. This will come after consulting with a neurosurgeon who will determine whether the cause of your lower back pain is a result of spinal problems that can only be rectified through surgery. There are several minimally invasive surgical techniques that are now being used so you need not worry much if you get to this stage. For the best results, you should visit a health clinic specializing in the spine and related problems so that you get an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment options available.

Danny Ohara is the author of this article on endoscopic spinal surgery Tampa. Find more information on laser spine surgery center Tampa here