The truth is that no one wants to live in severe and constant agony, so if your back has been hurting for more than a few days or weeks, it’s time to get some relief. In West Orange, New Jersey, pain management centers are helping people recover from such back pains. Although surgery can sometimes offer the best solution for long-term relief of back pain, many other non-invasive options are also available. First, find the best center for back pain in West Orange. Let’s focus on five non-invasive approaches anyone can take.
- Physical Therapy
One of the most common treatments for chronic back pain is physical therapy. PT can include various exercises and treatments, such as heat/cold therapy, massage, and ultrasound. It can also help to improve your overall posture and strengthen the muscles that support your back.
Physical therapy is significant because it can help improve your condition without surgery. The therapists have a variety of treatments that they can use to help your back, and many people find relief from their back pain after starting physical therapy.
- Meditation and Mindfulness
Mindfulness and meditation are helpful for various conditions, including chronic pain. A study from the University of Massachusetts Medical School found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) was an effective treatment for chronic back pain.
You can consider yoga as it’s a type of mindfulness practice that can be very helpful for chronic back pain. However, there are many ways to get into mindfulness and meditation, so find one that works for you and stick with it. There are plenty of guided meditations and classes available if you need help getting started.
- Lifestyle Modifications
One of the best things you can do for your back is to make some simple lifestyle modifications. This includes losing weight, getting regular exercise, and avoiding sitting for long periods.
Making small changes to your lifestyle can significantly impact your overall health, including your back health. If you’re struggling with chronic back pain, make some of these changes and see if you notice a difference.
Another vital part of keeping your back healthy is making sure you have a good diet. Eating nutritious foods and avoiding unhealthy fats and processed foods can help keep your back healthy and pain-free.
- Epidural Steroid Injections
If other treatments haven’t worked, your doctor may recommend an epidural steroid injection. This is a procedure in which a steroid medication is injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord.
This procedure can offer relief from back pain for many people. However, it’s important to note that the effects of the injection are not permanent, and the pain may return after a few months.
- Pharmacologic Treatments
Alternatively, your doctor may recommend pharmacologic treatment. It includes medications like opioid painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
While these medications can offer relief from back pain, they can also be dangerous and addictive if used long-term. It’s essential only to take these medications as directed by your doctor and never take more than prescribed.
Back pain is a common problem that various things can cause. If you’re struggling with chronic back pain, many different non-surgical treatment options are available to you. Some of the most common treatments for chronic back pain include physical therapy, mindfulness and meditation, lifestyle modifications, and epidural steroid injections. Talk to your back pain specialist about the suitable approaches to take.