What causes the back pain? Overuse a sudden or improper movement can result in strain or sprain of the spinal ligaments, the muscles in the back, or the sacroiliac joints that joins between the spine and either side of the pelvis. You can damage your discs the same way so that they tear, stretch, or rupture. If the tear is large enough, the jelly-like material inside the disc may leak out and press against a nerve. The nerve may also become irritated due to swelling or inflammation in other parts of the back.
Any of these injuries can result in two or three days of acute pain and swelling in the injured tissue, followed by slow healing and a gradual reduction in pain. The pain may be felt on the low back, in the buttock, or down the leg (this type of pain is called sciatic).
Back pain can also be caused by conditions that affect the bones and joints of the spine. Arthritis pain may be a steady ache, unlike the sharp, acute pain of strains, sprains, and disc injuries.
Osteoporosis weakens the bones of the spine, which can lead to compression fractures. Compression fractures cause vertebrae to collapse. This can cause misalignment of the spine, which may put pressure on the discs and spinal nerves and lead to various degrees of pain.
Cold and heat which one is good for back pain?
The goals of self-care are to relieve pain, promote healing, and avoid new injury.
As soon as possible, apply ice or a cold pack to your injured back, 10 to 15 minutes every hour. Cold applied for the first three days limits swelling, reduces pain, and speeds healing.
You can apply heat to your sore back 72 hours after injury occurs. Apply heat for 20-minute periods. Moist heat (hot packs, baths, showers) works better than dry heat. Some people find comfort in alternating between heat and ice packs, or using ice only.
Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
1. Acupuncture & Chinese Meridians Massage: to relax muscles, tendons and joints; increase blood flow, reduce the inflammation so as to relieve the pain.
2. Chinese herbs can maintain acupuncture’s results, anti-inflammation and help subside pain.
3. Using the Chinese herbal bag which has both cold and heat functions in one. This is a unique herbal bag with multi-healing functions. During the first three days, use the herbal bag cold to limit swelling and reduce pain. On the fourth day, use the herbal bag heated to increase blood circulation and speed healing.
For more information, please call Dr. Lu of Ping’s Acupuncture at 661-513 9265.