Practically everyone will deal with at least a few back problems over the years, and one of those injuries could bring your life to a grinding halt if you aren’t careful. Luckily, you should be back on your feet before you know it as long as you come up with a comprehensive recovery plan.
Use Heat and Ice Packs
Immediately following a back injury, you should consider using heating pads and ice packs. Quite a few studies have revealed that hot and cold therapy is one of the best options for reducing pain and speeding up your recovery. That being said, you should never apply those pads and packs directly to your skin because they could cause damage. You must also rotate the packs at least once every 10 or 15 minutes.
Try Topical Painkillers
Oral painkillers can be very effective, but there are a few different reasons why many people try to avoid them. In addition to taking quite a bit of time to kick in, many oral painkillers are also hard on the organs. A topical painkiller, on the other hand, should begin to work as soon as you apply it to your back. You can also use those creams and ointments as often as you like as long as they aren’t irritating your skin.
Don’t Remain Sedentary
Remaining almost completely immobilized is another common mistake that many people make after a back injury. While you might need to rest your back for a day or two, you should try to move around at least once or twice an hour. Going on walks and other low-impact physical activities will promote blood flow and flush lactic acid out of the muscles. You might even be able to carry out a full-body stretching routine after a few days.
Head to an Injury Rehab Center
For major back injuries, patients should think about heading to an injury rehab clinic. At one of those clinics, you are going to work with a team of medical professionals who can treat a wide variety of injuries. They will help you come up with a long-term treatment plan that addresses the root causes of your back pain so that you don’t struggle with ongoing back problems.
Once you have fully recovered, you might want to speak with a certified trainer about coming up with a back strengthening routine. Building up the stabilizer muscles around your spine is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of a back injury.