Dealing With Chronic Discomfort Without Medication or Surgery
You’re tired of living with back pain, and you are wondering what you can do to ease your discomfort. You are not sure if your symptoms are severe enough to consider surgery. What can you do to relieve your pain on your own before you consult a spine surgeon?
Before you consider surgery, there are some steps you can take to manage your pain on your own. Medical professionals recognize that behavior and lifestyle choices can help patients cope with pain. Here are just a few.
- Practice Mindful Pain Management
One of the most important aspects of living with pain is coping mentally. While “mind over matter” seems easier said than done during a back pain attack, numerous studies have shown that cognitive training and practices like meditation and breathing can have measurable positive impacts on people’s experiences with pain.
Although there’s no guaranteed solution for everyone, there are many options to choose from. These include meditation, cognitive behavioral intervention and yoga, which can also have physical benefits.
- Use Physical Therapy to Correct the Unconscious Behaviors That Make Pain Worse
Your treatment may be more effective when you also stop doing things that exacerbate your pain. Unfortunately, you might be unaware of how your habits are affecting you negatively.
Physical therapy may help you understand how your activities contribute to your back issues. For instance, you might benefit from learning gentle stretches that you can incorporate into your morning routine to work out the kinks that you developed while sleeping. Or beginning an exercise routine and being mindful of your posture could strengthen your muscles and improve your joint flexibility.
- Understand Inflammation
Inflammation is typically characterized by swelling, sensations of heat, pain and redness. Although inflammation can help prevent infection and injury, it may also contribute to chronic pain. Learning about which foods and habits contribute to inflammation can help you make choices that support your recovery from back pain.
- Learn More About Your Condition
Many conditions contribute to back pain. From degenerative diseases to nerve pain, each case is unique. By learning more about your own body and any conditions you may have, you will learn what triggers your back pain and what makes you feel better.
Becoming better acquainted with the source of your back pain is important for achieving lasting relief. Even though surgery may be the most beneficial solution for some people, there are many minimally invasive techniques and treatment options. To learn more about the cause of your back pain and find a solution from a trusted professional, visit the Center for Diseases and Surgery of the Spine online.
