Tips for Managing Acute Back Pain
Don’t panic. Don’t forget that the severity of the pain is usually not an indication of how serious the problem is. Most patients in severe acute pain have got muscle spasms which, although incredibly painful, are usually resolved quickly.
Use ice – not heat. The worst part of an acute condition is that the inflammation makes the joint swell. Think of it as a sprained ankle and put a packet of frozen peas wrapped in a thin tea towel on the painful area. Apply for 10-15 min every 1-2 hours - even if initially it feels sore, it should help. NOTE: Do not use if suffering from diabetes or poor circulation.
Avoid having a hot bath. The heat could aggravate the pain and the position might make you seize up.
Keep mobile - or as mobile as you can. If you are able to get out of bed, do so at regular intervals and gently move around the room. Even going for a walk can be helpful. Start with a short walk of 15-20 minutes. If that is manageable, you can then gradually increase the time and distance you walk bit by bit.
Listen to your back - but hurt doesn’t always mean harm. Simple movement activities can be helpful to your back even if they are uncomfortable, or painful. Gage the level of your pain as you move around, if your pain becomes greater than a 3 out of 10, then you should stop the activity.
Rest as comfortably as you can. There isn’t any right or wrong position, just do whatever feels best. Most patients find lying on their back with their knees bent (stick a rolled up blanket under your knees) is fairly comfortable.
Don’t lie flat on the floor - unless it’s your most comfortable position. Lying with your legs straight on a very hard surface generally increases the load at the base of your spine.
Be careful with medication. Do take whatever you need to get relief (ask your doctor for advice/a prescription), but remember that the tablets don’t actually cure or heal the problem - they just mask the pain. Therefore you should still be very careful, even when you start to feel better.
Accept help from your family and friends. Don’t be proud, you can always make it up to them later!
See your Chiropractor. If the pain persists beyond 48 hours you will need a thorough examination to diagnose the exact nature of the problem, and then to get you back to normal activities as soon as possible. Treatment in the early stages of a low back pain episode is suggested in The Royal College of GP’s guidelines for treating acute low back pain.
