According to the Health Policy Institute, approximately 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with chronic back pain. This pain typically affects how well they can carry out their daily activities so a lot of people have to explore the available treatment options. If you’re dealing with chronic back pain, here are some treatments you might discuss with your doctor.
10 Effective Treatments For Chronic Back Pain
1. Topical Painkillers
If your pain is located in a specific area, it can be easy to use topical creams, ointments, or salves on them. These painkillers deliver relief through the skin. They’re also a good choice for people who don’t like taking oral medications.
2. Oral Painkillers
Most people consider oral painkillers to ease their pain and the most common kind are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, if you take them too often, you may experience side effects like ulcers and an upset stomach. If over-the-counter drugs aren’t working for your pain then talk to your doctor about prescription-strength ones.
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3. Muscle Relaxants
Sometimes, the pain is accompanied by tight muscles that make it hard to move. In this case, muscle relaxants can help and doctors may prescribe them as a complement to painkillers. It’s essential to discuss side effects with your doctor, though, because they can cause drowsiness and dizziness.
4. Narcotics
If your back pain is severe, it’s possible that NSAIDs won’t alleviate it. Your doctor may then prescribe opioids like oxycodone or hydrocodone. However, these will likely only be prescribed for a short time because of the risk of developing a dependence.
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5. Anti-depressants
Some studies have shown that certain anti-depressants can help to soothe chronic back pain. This option can be especially helpful if you’re already taking anti-depressants or you’d like to explore alternatives to oral painkillers.
6. Physical Therapy
Depending on what caused your chronic back pain, physical therapy can help to strengthen your muscles and improve flexibility. A physical therapist can also teach you how to avoid moving in ways that will make your pain worse.
7. Cortisone Injections
Doctors usually recommend cortisone injections when other pain management methods haven’t been successful. The injections include cortisone and a numbing agent that are placed into the space around the spinal cord. The relief from an injection is temporary, though, so you’ll need it every month or two.
8. Radiofrequency Ablation
This is a procedure where a doctor inserts a small needle near the area where your pain is located. Radio waves are then passed through the needle to damage the nerves in this area. These nerves will no longer be able to transmit pain sensations to the brain.
9. Nerve Stimulators
With this option, a doctor places a device under the skin, which then delivers electrical pulses to the nerves that transmit pain signals. When these pulses are transmitted, the signal is blocked.
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10. Surgery
This is typically a doctor’s last resort as surgery comes with certain risks and isn’t recommended for everyone. Surgical procedures can be used to relieve pressure or repair damaged areas.
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What Your Doctor Might Recommend
While significant discomfort is a characteristic of chronic back pain, it doesn’t manifest in the same way for everyone. Some people have a dull ache while others have sharp, stabbing pain. The cause of your chronic pain can also influence the most effective treatment option. For example, surgery might be the best way forward for those who were injured in a major accident. On the other hand, a combination of physical therapy and painkillers might work well for minor injuries.
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Why Black People Should Be Concerned
Recent studies show that Black Americans are more likely to develop chronic back pain that severely affects them for more than six months. Unfortunately, they’re also less likely to be diagnosed with the condition in a timely manner and don’t get prescribed the painkillers they need to manage the pain. In fact, studies show that it can take multiple doctor visits to get the help they need. If you have chronic back pain, it’s important to know all your options for relief and have frank discussions with your doctor.
Millions of Americans are living with chronic back pain. However, Black people don’t always get the care they need in a timely manner. It’s best to talk to your doctor about all your treatment options so you know how to move forward.
