Low Back Pain (LBP): Treatment and Recovery

Medication
The first choice for pain relief is often nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset and stomach bleeding. Muscle relaxants may provide relief from muscle spasm but are actually benign sedatives, which often cause drowsiness. Narcotic pain relievers are prescribed for use during the acute phase.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy (PT) is started as soon as the patient can tolerate activity. A managed PT program can help build muscle strength, flexibility, improve mobility, coordination, stability, balance, and promotes relaxation. Patients who participate in a structured physical therapy program often progress to wellness more rapidly than those who do not. This includes low back maintenance through a home exercise program developed for the patient by the physical therapist.

PT may include ice therapy to slow nerve conduction thereby decreasing inflammation and pain. Heat treatments may be used to accelerate soft tissue repair. Heat increases blood flow and speeds up the metabolic rate to assist healing. Heat also helps decrease muscle spasm, pain, and promotes a relaxed feeling. Ultrasound is a treatment used to deliver heat deep into soft tissues. Sometimes a heat treatment is given prior to a session of therapeutic exercise.

Spine Surgery
Seldom is surgery required to treat low back pain. Surgery may be considered if the patient is experiencing bowel or bladder dysfunction, increased nerve impairment, progressive weakness, incapacitating pain, or spinal instability. The surgical procedure depends on the diagnosis or the cause of low back pain.

Recovery
First and foremost, follow the treatment plan outlined by the physician and physical therapist. To enhance recovery from surgery, an episode of low back pain, or to help prevent future exacerbation try to maintain good posture, be consistent in a home exercise program, and eat sensibly to maintain proper body weight.