Tips to Relieve Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is something that many of us face at some point in our adult lives. Whether it’s due to injury, muscle strain, arthritis, pregnancy, or something else, lower back pain can not only be a figurative pain to deal with, but it can also put a damper on certain activities and make some aspects of daily life difficult.

At Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta, Dr. Christopher Williams wants his Atlanta, GA patients to be able to live life to its fullest. That’s why he offers a holistic approach to medicine and works with his patients to reach their goals so they can live life in the way that they want to.

How to obtain lower back pain relief

If you experience lower back pain, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate the pain. Dr. Williams suggests that if the pain persists for 72 hours that you call him for an appointment, but, in the meantime, there are a few tried-and-true methods to help you alleviate back pain.

1. Apply ice and heat to relax muscles. One of the easiest home remedies for back pain is simply applying ice and heat to the back. At the onset of your back pain, you should apply a cold compress to your back for about 15 minutes. Do this 3 – 4 times a day. After a few days, switch from ice to heat. Warm showers, baths, and a heating pad are all great ideas.
2. Massage therapy. In some cases, if you have access to a qualified, certified, and experienced professional, massage therapy may help alleviate back pain. It’s important, though, to seek treatment from someone who is skilled in the proper techniques to help reduce back pain. If the improper technique is used, it could worsen the pain.
3. Lay on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs. This can be a great way to relieve lower back pain and is a particularly good way for pregnant women to find lower back pain relief. Alternately, if you can lay comfortably on your back, placing a pillow underneath your thighs is known to reduce back pain as well.
4. In the event that your back pain is caused by a more serious problem, like a disc problem osteoarthritis, or radiculopathy, medical intervention may be needed. In these instances, Dr. Williams is happy to meet with Atlanta, GA men and women to identify the cause of their back pain. In some cases, surgery may be recommended, but in others, Dr. Williams may implement Regenexx® minimally invasive injection techniques involving orthobiologic injections (e.g. platelet rich plasma or PRP). This is an innovative procedure performed right at Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta and can provide a great deal of relief with virtually no downtime.

How to prevent lower back pain

While there are a few great ways to ease back pain, there are some methods for avoiding back pain in the future. While things like practicing good posture, stretching, and avoiding heavy lifting seem obvious, there are some less common ways to reduce back pain like:

• Eat a healthy diet
• Lose weight
• Reduce stress
• Exercise
• Avoid high heels
• Sleep on a firm mattress
• Use supportive chairs that are the correct height for you
• Quit smoking

Reduce lower back pain

We know lower back pain can put a damper on life — and it can seem like it can last forever. With these tips and tricks, however, our Atlanta, GA patients should be able to alleviate back pain and reduce agitation in the future. For more information on back pain or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Williams, call Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta today.