By Mike DuBose with Surb Guram, MD
Back pain is a common, often debilitating condition that affects millions of people. As I recently unexpectedly experienced, it varies from mild discomfort to severe, chronic pain. Finding effective treatments for back pain depends upon its severity and accurate diagnosis. To follow up on our earlier article on causes, let’s examine the research before seeking surgery. Ensure to discuss the following treatment options with your medical providers as partners.
Over-the-counter pain medications (OTC) help manage back pain. Anti-inflammatory meds like Aleve, Motrin, and Advil can reduce swelling. Advil created a “Dual Action” product specifically designed for back pain that includes Ibuprofen Advil (250MG) and Acetaminophen Tylenol (125MG). Warning. Mayo Clinic determined that patients taking blood thinners should avoid Ibuprofen. In addition, Acetaminophen can damage livers if taken daily for more than two weeks.
Heat and cold therapies provide “temporary relief” but won’t eliminate back pain. Heating pads relax muscles and improve blood flow while ice-numbing exposure can reduce inflammation. Heat therapy did nothing for my pain but ice packs applied 20 minutes every few hours daily was my go-to medicine, combined with (OTC) medications. Research indicates everyone’s responses are different so try both heat and icing alternating methods. Amazon sells excellent, inexpensive icing products, including large belts that can be worn around the home. Wear thin skin covers to avoid burns. Also, consider purchasing OTC-cold/heat, pain-killing-lidocaine/menthol patches at pharmacies.
Massage therapy manipulates muscles and soft tissues to alleviate tension, promotes relaxation, improves circulation, reduces muscle stiffness, and relieves lower back pain.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medicine technique, involves inserting thin needles into specific body points. It stimulates the body’s natural healing response and can be effective in relieving chronic back pain. My physical therapist used similar methods, called dry-needling, to fool the brain into sending natural healing medicines to my back. Studies verify that dry-needling increases blood circulation and reduces pain.
Chiropractors specialize in spinal manipulation and adjustment techniques to align spines properly which can relieve nerve pressure and reduce back pain.
Regular exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, can strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and support the spine. Use caution about overdoing exercise while you’re in pain. Daily activity and remaining mobile are important. Certified personal trainers, in collaboration with healthcare professionals, can also help strengthen back muscles. Visit www.dubosefitness.com for more information.
Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can eventually reduce back strain while decreasing the risks of chronic pain.
Yoga and other treatments focus on strengthening core muscles, reducing stress, improving flexibility, and promoting relaxation. These practices help reduce back pain and prevent future episodes by improving posture and body mechanics. Mind-body techniques such as mindfulness (Being aware of our postures, pulling, sitting, lifting), meditation, and relaxation techniques reduce stress. Psychology Today reported listening to your desired music releases dopamine chemicals which can reduce pain intensity and increase pain tolerance.
Rest means getting a full night’s sleep on comfortable, supportive mattresses. Strategies include reducing strenuous activities to improve healing processes, but bed rest only is not recommended. In other words, “Take it easy.”
Herbal supplements, such as top-selling turmeric, have anti-inflammatory properties and may help alleviate back pain. However, in August 2024, The Washington Post shared researchers’ warnings about its use.
Proper ergonomics at home and the workplace, help prevent back pain by promoting good posture and reducing spinal strain. Using supportive chairs, adjustable standing/sitting desks, and lifting objects properly can minimize injury risks. After extensive reviews, I purchased the Amazon Ergo3d Mesh office chair which provides great back and spinal support, but you’ll need someone skilled in assembly. My 10-year-old mechanical engineer grandson put it together in two hours. Ensure that you never sit for more than 30 minutes at a time and keep moving.
Discontinuing smoking can improve blood flow and increase the body’s ability to heal injuries.
Visit Your Physician (preferably internists) if the pain is severe, persists for more than four weeks, and other methods have failed. Doctors will conduct tests, such as MRIs, to evaluate your condition. Muscle relaxants or opioids may be prescribed to relieve muscle spasms but limit them because of serious side effects and potential addiction. Other options might include Epidural Steroid Injections, Nerve Blocks, Spinal Cord Stimulation, and Radiofrequency Ablation.
Physical therapy is a cornerstone treatment for back pain which I strongly support. It focuses on strengthening spinal muscles, improving flexibility, and correcting posture. Therapists often employ techniques such as stretching exercises, manual therapy, and targeted strengthening activities to reduce pain and improve mobility.
The bottom line: Managing back pain is a process that requires comprehensive, individualized approaches, pinpointing underlying causes, and overall health. While conservative treatments, like physical therapy, exercise, and OTC medications are often effective, individuals may require advanced interventions and surgery. These procedures have improved in recent years, especially when followed by physician-approved exercise programs. Complementary therapies and lifestyle modifications play crucial roles in reducing pain. Pinpointing back pain causes and developing correct treatment strategies are slow processes (My healing took two months). What works wonders for some may be less effective for others. While back pain may not be cured, in many cases, it can be managed. Visit www.mikedubose.com/backpain for the detailed article we published.
Special thanks to my awesome back-pain-team: Internist Surb Guram, MD, Jennifer Britt, APRN and Columbia Rehabilitation Clinic’s physical therapy professionals Rohini Grewal, DPT and Dori Reinhart, RPTA.
Contact Mike at [email protected]. Visit his nonprofit website www.mikedubose.com and register to receive his monthly articles or Daily Thoughts plus free access to his books, including “The Art of Building Great Businesses.” The website includes 100+ published articles he has written on business, travel, and personal topics, in addition to health research with Surb Guram, MD and David Hurst, DMV.
Dr. Surb Guram, MD is a board-certified internist and a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He is a partner with the SC Internal Medicine Associates in Irmo, SC (www.scinternalmedicine.com) and has practiced internal medicine in the Midlands for 30+ years.
