Back pain treatment guide: Best ways to relieve back pain

Overview: Do you suffer from back pain? Explore the best ways to relieve back pain, including home remedies, physical therapy and advanced treatments. Learn what causes back pain and when to see a specialist for lasting relief.

Back pain is one of the most common health concerns, affecting people of all ages and lifestyles. Whether it’s a dull ache after a long day or chronic pain that limits your movement, finding relief can make all the difference and help you get back to living your best life. 

Understanding the causes of back pain and exploring your treatment options are important first steps toward relief.

Why does my back hurt?

Back pain is often a symptom of an existing injury or condition such as strains or sprains, disc issues, arthritis or osteoporosis. Back pain can also be caused by factors such as poor posture, stress, heavy lifting, prolonged sitting and obesity.

Depending on the cause and intensity of your back pain, there are different treatment options.

At-home treatments for minor back pain

For minor back pain and aches, at-home methods might just do the trick.  Most minor back pain improves within a few weeks with the following methods, especially for those under age 60: 

• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
• Topical pain relievers like creams, salves, ointments and patches can deliver pain-relieving substances through the skin.
• Apply heat or ice to relax muscles and reduce inflammation in the back.
• Gentle movement like walking or stretching. It’s important to stay as active as you can with back pain. Prolonged bed rest can weaken muscles, increase stiffness and reduce blood flow needed for healing.
• Diet changes to reduce inflammation. If you eat a diet high in fats, refined sugars or processed food, you might be increasing inflammation in the body which could be contributing to your back pain. 

Prescription medication, injections and other therapies for persistent back pain

If at-home treatments aren’t working after several weeks, it may be time to talk to your health care provider about other options. They may recommend the following treatments for persistent back pain:

• Physical therapy for back pain: Helps increase flexibility, strengthens your back and abdominal muscles and improves posture issues. Your physical therapist will work with you on a personalized care plan and teach you how to modify movements to avoid flaring your back pain so you can stay strong and active.

Learn more about physical therapy at MercyOne

• Medication injections like a cortisone shot or nerve block: If your back pain radiates down the leg, a medical injection near the spinal cord might help decrease inflammation around the pain-causing nerves.
• Muscle relaxants might be prescribed if your pain is caused by back spasm. 

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Treatment for chronic back pain

If you suffer from chronic back pain (persistent pain lasting more than three months) that severely inhibits your daily life, your doctor may recommend spinal surgery – especially if you’ve exhausted all other treatment options. 

Watch for these red-flag symptoms, which may indicate the need for surgery:

• Bowel/bladder issues such as incontinence and groin numbness
• Weakness in limbs
• Pain that radiates to your arms and legs
• Gait and balance issues

If you think you’re a candidate for spinal surgery, talk with your primary care provider about getting referred to a back and spine specialist.

The road to back pain relief

Back pain can be frustrating, but the good news is that most cases can be managed with the right approach depending on the cause of your back pain. Whether you start with simple at-home remedies or need more advanced treatments like physical therapy or injections, taking action early can help prevent long-term issues and improve your quality of life. If your pain persists or worsens, don’t ignore it! Reach out to your trusted health care provider to explore personalized care options. Your back health matters, and with the right care, you can get back to doing the things you love.