Finding relief forback painand getting the appropriate treatment may depend on the cause.

The proper alignment will help prevent pain and soreness.

Research shows that a slumped sitting position is a significant source oflower back pain.

A person doing a yoga pose (knees to chest) at home for back pain

Eleganza / Getty Images

It is always a good idea to pay attention to your posture.

Both methods are safe for managing back pain.

Wrap your cold pack with a dry towel.

Headshot of Theresa Marko

Heat can help relax tight muscles and stiff joints.

It can be applied with a commercial heating pad or a hot water bottle.

Apply ice for the first two days.

Apply heat to the back on the third day for pain relief.

Slowly Start Moving Again

Healthcare providers do not recommend rest for a sore back.

Rather than resting, consider limiting activities that cause you pain.

you might gradually increase your activity level based on your ability to handle it.

If moving is challenging, consider breaks of standing and sitting or even a little bit of movement.

Research shows that any amount of movement can relieve lower back pain.

Stretching from your sitting position or adjusting your sitting position can also help.

Back Massages

Getting a massage may help relieve lower back pain.

Manual manipulation can help manage back, neck, or thoracic (mid-back) pain.

Apply the topical pain reliever to the area of the back or neck that hurts.

For hard-to-reach back areas, ask someone for help.

NSAIDs can lower inflammation, which leads to swelling and tenderness.

OTC NSAIDs include Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and aspirin.

While Tylenol can relieve occasional back pain, it does not lower inflammation.

Consider Changing Your Diet

Many foods have been found to reduce or increase inflammation.

The immune system creates inflammation to protect and heal the body from disease or injury.

However, too much inflammation can lead to pain and other symptoms and needs to be managed.

Try on shoes and walk around in them to feel how they feel.

Never buy shoes that are too tight or loose, unsupportive or uncomfortable.

If youneed help to quit, let a healthcare provider know.

They can provide you with treatment options and resources to help you to quit.

While these may help relieve pain and other back symptoms, they should not replace medical treatments.

Back pain that is considered severe has a variety of causes, including muscle strains and injured discs.

Types of antidepressants includeserotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors(SNRIs),selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), andtricyclics.

These drugs work by delivering medicine in a localized area of the spine.

Back Surgery

Spinal surgeryis considered when other therapies have failed to resolve your back pain.

As with any surgery, back surgery comes with risks.

There is also no guarantee that the surgery will eliminate your back pain and other symptoms.

Risks may include bleeding and infection.

The needles may trigger specific points in the body, reducing pain.

However, none of the trials showed improvements in function.

It teaches people ways to change how they perceive and handle emotions, problems, and pain.

Self-care home remedies can help you to manage pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Movement is essential for back pain.

Your provider can prescribe additional treatments, including medications.

Additional therapies for back pain may include acupuncture and talk therapy.

Spinal surgery is considered when other therapies have failed.

It may correct problems with the vertebrae and nerve roots.

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