Ways To Treat Chronic Back Pain Without Surgery

Back pain is considered chronic if it continues for 12 weeks or longer. It can come and go, often bringing temporary relief, then persists for a while. It can be a really frustrating experience for those who are affected and many would consider surgery. But before taking the risk, you should know that surgery is the most invasive, intense, and risky of all treatments. It would be best to FIRST take a conservative approach and exhaust all non-surgical treatments available. When it comes to chronic back pain treatment Dubai doctors recommend the following. 

Lifestyle modifications

When you have chronic back pain, it’s important to accept your limitations and adapt. Take note of the activities that worsen your pain and avoid them if possible. You should pay attention to the joints and muscles of your spine and hip. Be mindful of your posture and adjust your neck, shoulder, and back alignment to prevent stresses on your spine. Poor posture can only worsen the pain. Avoid sitting for long periods as it can increase the pressure on your spinal discs. Get up every once in a while to relax.

Physical therapy

The goals of physical therapy include decreasing pain, increasing function, and preventing further recurrences. Physical therapy for back pain relief has two components – modalities and active exercises. The foundation of chronic back pain treatment is exercise. It’s one of the first treatments your doctor would recommend but of course, with the guidance of a physical therapist. The same set of exercises doesn’t work for everyone so you need a professional to tailor the movements to your condition and specific symptoms.

Stretching exercises

Physiotherapy for lower back pain involves stretching the muscles that support the spine to reduce tension and improve range of motion. Weeks or months of regular stretching is likely to be prescribed by a doctor or physical therapist as part of the treatment plan. This somewhat goes hand in hand with posture. It should target the back, abdominal, and buttock muscles. This is because strong abdominal and extensor muscles (a group of muscles that run the full length of the back) help maintain an upright posture.

Dry needling

Among the most common forms of back pain are caused by myofascial trigger points. These are stiff and tender ‘knots’ of bundled spinal muscles that can lead to pain. Dry needling is an emerging treatment for trigger points that involve inserting thin filiform needles through the skin into the muscle to relieve pain. The goal of dry needling for back pain is to deactivate the trigger point by causing a small, precise injury in the tissue. This will signal the brain to initiate a sequence of events to repair the damaged tissue.

Massage therapy

Massage can benefit the back in a number of ways. Manipulating tissues can increase circulation to tired or strained muscles. Increased blood flow and fluid drainage not only ease inflammation but also heal damaged tissues. Physiotherapists also recognize massage as an effective trigger point treatment for back pain. It can release or soften muscle knots to reduce or eliminate knot pain or associated pain.

Chronic back pain can make it hard to find the energy to make the most of your daily activities. The experts at Scandinavian Physiotherapy Center can help you with that. Our registered physiotherapists offer the best services to relieve tension and pain, soothe tired muscles, and help you overcome injuries. Their specialties include dry needling, sports rehabilitation, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, massage therapy, and more. Book an appointment by calling +971 4 551 6126.

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