To relieve spinal pain, also known as rachialgia, it may be helpful to lie on your stomach with your legs resting on high cushions and place a warm compress on the pain area for 20 minutes. This strategy helps relax your back muscles by lessening the strain on the vertebrae and their ligaments bringing pain relief in a few minutes.
Other measures that can also be indicated are remedies, acupuncture and surgery, depending on the general health of the individual and the symptoms presented. Some treatment options for relieving spinal pain may include:
1. Put on a warm compress where it hurts
Gel or hot water compresses can be bought at pharmacies or prepared at home using dry grains such as rice or beans. The warm compress increases blood flow to the site, relaxes the muscle structures, promoting analgesia, but should be used with care so as not to burn the skin. Here's how to do it:
2. Use medicines
Passing an ointment at the pain site can be helpful in fighting the symptoms, good options can be found at the pharmacy and can be purchased with the advice of the pharmacist.
Analgesics and anti-inflammatories such as Ana Flex, Bioflex, Miosan and Ibuprofen are indicated when the pain is intense and does not allow the work, reducing the quality of life of the patient, but should only be used under the guidance of the orthopedist because they should not be used in excess and because they have contraindications. Spinal pain remedies can be used for a few weeks and always with gastric shield to prevent stomach injuries.
3. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy with appliances, massage therapy and exercises is great for relieving pain and treating spinal problems because it is targeted at your cause. It should be performed preferably every day but consultations 2 or 3 times a week can also help control the symptoms.
4. Stretch the muscles
The pain in the spine can be alleviated and treated with exercises that must be indicated by the physical therapist because not all the exercises are indicated. Here are some examples: Stretching exercises for back pain.
5. Turn to acupuncture
Acupuncture sessions can help relieve back pain, but should not be used exclusively. Ideally, it should be done once a week for as long as symptoms are present.
The most common causes of spinal pain are low back pain, herniated disc and arthrosis that may be related to weight gain, sedentary lifestyle, poor posture and excessive physical exertion. Some situations that may favor changes in the spine are holding the phone while you talk and carrying a heavy briefcase or backpack daily and so it is important to keep your muscles strong and maintain good posture. In more severe cases, when there is involvement of the vertebrae or the intervertebral discs the doctor can indicate the surgery to recompose the structures, bringing relief of the symptoms. However, physical therapy may delay surgery or supplement this treatment.
When to go to the doctor
Consultation with an orthopedist is advised when the person feels pain in the spine that radiates to other areas of the body, has a tingling sensation or a lack of strength. The doctor should order imaging tests of the spine such as x-ray or MRI and after seeing the results decide for the best treatment. Some cases should be treated with physical therapy and more severe cases may require surgery.