- Anatomy of The Spine
- Back Pain in Children
- Caring for your Spine
- Emerging Spinecare Trends
- Evaluation of Spinal Disorders
- Exercise and The Spine
- Intervention - Spinal Disorders
- Intervertebral Disc
- Non Surgical Options
- Nutrition and Spinecare
- Options for Spine Treatments
- Pregnancy and Back Pain
- Prevalence of Spine Disorders
- Sleep and the Spine
- Spinecare Introduction
- Spinehealth and Disease
- Surgical Interventions
- Treatment with Medications
- Understanding Back Pain
Spinecare Topics
Caring for your Spine
Protecting Your Back
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Protecting Your Back
PROTECTING YOUR BACK
Not long ago, one of the most common treatments for the back was prolonged bed rest. Acute onset of extreme back pain would often lead to hospitalization and placement on traction for many days or weeks at a time. This led to complications such as muscular deconditioning and stiffness resulting in a higher probability of chronic back pain. This approach was challenged based upon emerging information about tissue remodeling and muscle response to activity. The current treatment protocols are directed toward improving function through rehabilitation and strengthening as soon as possible during the course of spinecare.
The majority of back problems are not physically disabling or life threatening. The first level of care for back pain is often self-care at home. Approximately seventy percent of individuals with back pain experience an improvement of their pain within two to three weeks with simple treatment approaches. There are many things an individual can do to take care of their own back.
Use of Cold and Heat Application
The application of cold and moist heat to the back can help reduce pain and muscle inflammation. During the first 48 hours after a back strain periodic cold application should be used. This can be performed by placing ice in a plastic bag or using a pre-made ice pack. The bag should be wrapped in a slightly moist cloth or towel providing a thin barrier between the cold source and the skin. This helps to protect the skin. The bag or cold pack should be placed over the tender region 3-4 times during the day for 10-20 minutes. Cold application should never be administered for more than 20 minutes at a time.
Cold treatment can be used as long as muscle spasms persist, which is usually about 48 hours. After 48 hours, moist heat can often be applied to the injured region. This may help reduce muscle spasms. Heat should be applied using a heating pad, warm compress or warm bath. To avoid skin irritation and burns heating pads should be adjusted to a low or medium setting away from regions of the body with reduced sensation. During self-care you might find that cold application provides more relief of pain than heat. If this occurs continue applying cold application to the area. Alternating application of cold and moist heat, each about 10 minutes can provide added pain relief.
Not long ago, one of the most common treatments for the back was prolonged bed rest. Acute onset of extreme back pain would often lead to hospitalization and placement on traction for many days or weeks at a time. This led to complications such as muscular deconditioning and stiffness resulting in a higher probability of chronic back pain. This approach was challenged based upon emerging information about tissue remodeling and muscle response to activity. The current treatment protocols are directed toward improving function through rehabilitation and strengthening as soon as possible during the course of spinecare.
The majority of back problems are not physically disabling or life threatening. The first level of care for back pain is often self-care at home. Approximately seventy percent of individuals with back pain experience an improvement of their pain within two to three weeks with simple treatment approaches. There are many things an individual can do to take care of their own back.
Use of Cold and Heat Application
The application of cold and moist heat to the back can help reduce pain and muscle inflammation. During the first 48 hours after a back strain periodic cold application should be used. This can be performed by placing ice in a plastic bag or using a pre-made ice pack. The bag should be wrapped in a slightly moist cloth or towel providing a thin barrier between the cold source and the skin. This helps to protect the skin. The bag or cold pack should be placed over the tender region 3-4 times during the day for 10-20 minutes. Cold application should never be administered for more than 20 minutes at a time.
Cold treatment can be used as long as muscle spasms persist, which is usually about 48 hours. After 48 hours, moist heat can often be applied to the injured region. This may help reduce muscle spasms. Heat should be applied using a heating pad, warm compress or warm bath. To avoid skin irritation and burns heating pads should be adjusted to a low or medium setting away from regions of the body with reduced sensation. During self-care you might find that cold application provides more relief of pain than heat. If this occurs continue applying cold application to the area. Alternating application of cold and moist heat, each about 10 minutes can provide added pain relief.
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