Back pain treatment options in Kentwood, MI

Back pain is a problem that many Americans face that keep them from enjoying their daily lives. Some cases of back pain are minor and recover after a few days of home treatment. Others require a professional touch. Take a look below to learn more about some of the frequently used treatment options for back pain.

Rest

Resting needs to be a priority when you have back pain. Some people try to push through the pain to complete a task or due to the misguided belief that resting means you’re not tough. The result could be more severe back pain that requires more time and effort to treat. 

If you work a demanding job or participate in physically challenging sports, make sure you get plenty of rest if you feel back pain developing. Resting gives your body the chance to divert more resources toward healing than to fueling your physical activities. 

Icing and heating

Icing and heating your back at home are tried-and-true methods for reducing inflammation and soothing pain. Ice your back for a couple of days first to reduce the swelling. Apply ice or a cold pack to your back for about 15 minutes a day, two or three times for a couple of days. Don’t apply ice for much longer than that or you’ll risk constricting blood vessels, which makes the pain worse.

After a couple of days of icing, switch to applying heat to help improve circulation in your back and to soothe the pain until your back feels better.

Exercise

Yes, we said to rest, but too much rest leads to weak and stiff muscles. You need to maintain some level of activity to help keep your abdominal and back muscles active to reduce and prevent back pain. Try going for walks or other low-impact exercises if you have back pain. 

Physical therapy

When your back pain doesn’t go away after a week or so of trying these methods or if the pain gets worse, you may need to visit a physical therapist. A physical therapist can examine your condition and develop a personalized treatment to help you recover, which usually includes:

• Therapeutic exercises
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Joint mobilization
• Posture guidance and more

Visit Advent Physical Therapy in Kentwood, MI, for back pain treatment

Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy in Kentwood, Michigan, specialize in these treatments and more to help reduce and prevent back pain. Don’t let back pain dictate your quality of life. Contact our team today for more information about back pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.