Few things are more all-encompassing than back pain. Every movement hurts, and trying not to move can hurt just as much. The desperation of trying to find relief can be just as painful. Here are three non-narcotic treatment options to discuss with your health care provider.
1. Physical Therapy
Back pain often results because the muscles in the back are in a weakened state. The muscles cannot fully support the spine and the adjoining tendons and ligaments. When this happens, people tend to overcompensate and move in ways that lessen the severity of their pain. Unfortunately, this will only exacerbate the problem.
Regular physical therapy sessions can correct this issue. The physical therapist will assess your pain level, the precise location of the pain, and observe how you move and carry yourself. They will then develop a treatment protocol that will include not only specific strengthening exercises and stretches but also passive modalities as well. Passive modalities are things like massage, soaking in a hot tub, and heating pads or ice packs. The physical therapists may also recommend recreational activities such as swimming as exercising in water reduces pressure on the joints.
2. Cannabidiol Therapy
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the active components in cannabis or marijuana. It is also present in the closely related hemp plant. CBD is not one of the components that cause a person to feel high. While not technically yet legal on the federal level, CBD oil is readily and openly available in virtually every state. Drops of the oil are given sublingually to people, especially children, with severe epilepsy. CBD is also useful for those with anxiety and insomnia. Fortunately, CBD oil can also be useful to those suffering from chronic pain. Arthritis, neuropathic pain of the nerves, and muscle pain can all be better controlled with the use of CBD oil in many people.
3. Diet
Unfortunately, the typical American diet tends to be high in sugar, saturated fats, and processed foods that are laden with chemicals from artificial colors, flavorings, and preservatives. This type of regular diet can greatly increase inflammation in the body. It can also cause obesity. Anytime someone is overweight, it puts undue stress on the joints and muscles and reduces the body's ability to heal itself. While changing your diet likely won't magically cure your back pain, it will help you shed any extra weight and may reduce inflammation. Your health care provider may recommend working with a dietitian in conjunction with your other treatment methods.
For more information on back pain relief, contact your local medical professionals.
Share20 May 2019
Having a daughter comes with a number of challenges. One challenge that you will one day need to tackle is determining when to introduce your daughter to the gynecologist. Do you take your daughter to the same gynecologist that you see or take her somewhere else? Do you wait until she gets her first period or do you take her in to learn about the menstrual cycle from the doctor? There is a long list of questions you likely have about introducing your daughter to the world of gynecology. Having gone through this twice myself, I have learned quite a bit and have included a lot of helpful information in my site to help other parents get through this complicated time a little easier.
