Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It generally happens with growing age. Most people face the issue of back pain at-least once in their life.

Back pain can develop due to a muscle strain (due to repeated heavy lifting or any sudden movement causing a strain to the back muscles and spinal ligaments), bulging / ruptured disks, arthritis or skeletal irregularities.

Back pain episodes can be frequent and long term for some. Chronic back pain can make even everyday lifestyle tasks difficult. If you struggle with chronic back pain, you should consult a doctor to explore some of the following treatments:

1. Medication

To see if taking medications for back pain is the right choice for you, you should discuss the options available with your doctor. There are prescriptions available to treat back pain. There is definitely some over-the-counter (OTC) medication also available but it is always advisable to seek medical opinion for your particular case.

2. Physical Therapy

Seeing a physical therapist is a popular choice for many who suffer from chronic back pain. Working with a trained professional can help you understand what you need to do to help your back and prevent flare-ups. A physical therapist can create a routine that unique to you to ensure that you’re receiving the best treatment.

3. Stretching & Light Exercise

While some may be too afraid to try any physical activity when they’re dealing with back pain, staying sedentary isn’t always the best option. Some exercises for herniated lumbar disks can help with back pain but they need to be done with extreme caution and on the advice of a registered health practioner only.

Doing activities like yoga for back pain and stretching regularly might be able to relieve some of your pain. While staying physically active can help with back pains, you should always keep track of what movements bring on pain and avoid them.

4. Manage Stress

Better managing your stress may be helpful in controlling your back pain episodes. Anxiety and stress cause muscles in the body to tense up and could possibly be the source of your back pains. Practicing different techniques like meditation and guided imagery can reduce stress and muscle tension, help you sleep better, and improve your quality of life.

5. Heat and Ice Treatment

Both heat and ice can be beneficial for treating back pains. Heating pads make it easy to relieve muscle tension and eases any muscle spasms. Additionally, treating back pains with ice can help reduce any inflammation that comes with your back problems. Rotating between heat and ice could be an inexpensive way to help treat your back pain.

6. Acupuncture

If you feel like you’ve tried everything to treat your back pain, you might consider a more alternative treatment like acupuncture and acupressure. With thousands of years behind it, acupuncture stimulates different areas of the back to relieve pain.

Are you living with back pain? Then here are some tips for long term back pain relief.