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eLearning Series:
Relieve My Back Pain NOW!
( 23 pages )
CHRONIC
BACK PAIN MEDICATIONS
& OTHER APPROACHES
Medications
A wide range of
drugs are available for the treatment of chronic pain. Most
commonly used are aspirin, acetaminophen, and the
anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Then there are the
more powerful narcotic analgesics, such as morphine and codeine.
People respond to these differently and there is no one medication
that is right for everybody. Only a physician who knows your
medical history and what other medications you might be taking
is truly qualified to make the best recommendation for you.
And, after beginning to take one, it is important to keep your
physician updated on their effectiveness, not only if they
are working or not, but also about any side effects you might
experience.
Do not fall into
the trap of thinking that a lack of effectiveness or the
experience of side effects are things
that must be tolerated
without question. Many different drugs are available and
improvements in pharmacology bring us more and better alternatives
as time
goes one. Regular contact with a physician is necessary to
make sure the course of medication one is on is indeed the
best available.
Psychological Approaches Psychological approaches are best for chronic pain where
a specific physical cause has not been identified or, when
it has, is used in conjunction with a sensible course of medical
treatment. The strategies used generally fall into four categories,
with plenty of room for overlap and the use of more than one
technique at a time. These categories are: relaxation, imagery,
hypnosis, and biofeedback. Though it is best to seek the advice
of experts to ascertain what, or what combination, is best
for you, below are examples of some things you can do on your
own in the effort to cope with chronic back pain.
- Splitting: Separate your experience of pain from the pain itself.
If the pain
is throbbing, for example, focus on the
throb and not the hurt. Another variation is to separate
the painful body part (your back) from the rest of your
body.
- Numbing: Imagine
an injection of a powerful medicine that
numbs the area of your back that hurts.
- Projection: Imagine yourself at a time in the past or future where
you are
free of pain. A pain-free location,
like a favorite
vacation spot, may also work.
- Movement: Visualize
the pain moving from your back to another area of the body
where it is easier to handle.
An alternative
is to imagine it leaving your body and taking up
residence
somewhere else, like the ground.
Be are that psychological approaches are particularly helpful
when stress is suspected as the culprit in your experience
of chronic back pain. Our daily lives are constantly subject
to stress, be it from work, relationships, or simply new and
different experiences. People react to stress in different
ways. Some individuals feel tired, others get upset stomachs,
and many of us show our tension in the form of back pain. Instead
of a psychological technique that focuses on pain management,
then, a more sensible approach could be the identification
and treatment of the factors that cause you to experience stress.
A Physical Approach
Most chronic
back pain is the result of activities that have an adverse
effect, such as lifting heavy objects improperly
or simply sitting in a chair for long periods with bad posture.
Changing our habits, therefore, can have a significant impact.
Below are some of the most commonly advised physical measures
to take. As always, see a physician or other qualified professional
for assistance in deciding what is best for you.
- Weight
loss: approximately 67 percent of Americans are overweight.
These extra pounds put pressure on the back and strain
both
back and abdominal muscles, which can weaken these muscles
and compound the problem.
- Improve
Posture: Bad posture means your body is out of balance. When it
comes to your
back this means that only
a small number
of muscles and joints are doing most of the work. Proper
posture will spread out the task and relieve the intense
pressure on
small areas of the back.
- Exercise: A
good exercise program, designed by a professional, will
strengthen muscles in
your back,
keep them limber, and
increase endurance. Though our instincts may tell
us to rest until the pain passes, the proper exercise
can be an effective
means of pain relief or reduction.
- Movement: Simple
measures, like using your leg strength, instead of back
muscles, to lift heavy
objects can
make a big difference. Whether at work, home, or
engaged in leisure
activities,
be aware of how you can alter you movements to
avoid unnecessary stress on your back.
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