Chiropractor in Hurst TX Says Four
Treatments That Make Back Pain Worse

Have you wondered if the things you're doing to help your back pain heal are causing more harm than good? There are many people just like you who want to take the right steps to get better in Hurst TX, but are unsure of the correct approach. Let's take a look at four common treatments that can make back pain worse.

Bed Rest in Hurst TX

Many of us know that staying inactive for a few days when your back pain flares up is not always a good idea. Research has shown that more than a couple of days of rest can cause more pain, more future episodes of back pain, and prolonged recovery time. Long periods of inactivity allow the muscles that support the back to lose tone and strength. This results in stiffness and pain in the muscles and joints, making it more difficult to restore normal motion to your back.

It's recommended that you reduce your activity level and gradually build it back up as soon as possible. By keeping your back moving, you will maintain your flexibility and muscle tone while speeding up the healing process.

Ice vs. Heat

Patients rarely ask me if it is OK to use ice. Heat on the other hand is always asked about. I know the thought of putting something cold on your skin makes your hair stand on end. So hear me out on this one. For acute cases of back pain (less than 24-48 hours), I recommend using ice to help with inflammation and swelling. Putting heat on a new back injury can actually make your pain worse as it increases inflammation. There is one important exception to this. If you suffer from frequent flare-ups of chronic low back pain, heat may provide you with more relief.

OTC Medications

Some people turn to over-the-counter medications like NSAIDs (i.e. ibuprofen) when they have back pain. While these pills may numb your pain, they interfere with your body's natural healing ability. In most cases of back pain, the supporting muscles and ligaments get injured. The body will make scar tissue to heal the injured muscles and ligaments. When you take an NSAID, it will cause the scar to be formed in a disorganized and scrambled fashion. This means the repaired muscle or ligament is not as strong as it could be. This can prolong your recovery and it can also make you more susceptible to re-injury. A great alternative for natural pain relief is using ice.

Muscle Relaxers & Anti-Inflammatories

Most people who visit the ER or their primary care physician will get a prescription for a muscle relaxer and an anti-inflammatory medication. This approach is considered standard medical care. Muscle relaxers are designed to relax muscles that are in spasms producing pain. How the drug knows which muscles to target…well, your guess is as good as mine. Muscle relaxers have a global effect on your entire body and often leave you feeling groggy and tired.

When taken alone, muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories may not provide you with the relief you've been looking for. A 2013 study in the Journal Spine found that patients got better results when chiropractic care was added to this treatment regimen. Of participants that received standard medical care and chiropractic, 73% of them rated their global improvement as pain completely gone, much better, or moderately better. This is compared to 17% of participants who only received standard medical care.

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