In the old days, they used to put a person on bed rest for a few weeks, or suggest operating on the back. Unfortunately, while doctors meant well, these suggestions were the worst possible ways to treat the severe lower back pain. The muscles atrophy and the body loses mobility. Now, there are different recommendations to treat lower back pain, whether severe or moderate.

Treatments Better Than Surgery

A cold compress to treat severe lower back pain ranks high on the list. If used in the first couple of days after feeling severe lower back pain it can help to reduce swelling, pain and give back some mobility to the area. A cold compress consists of using something frozen that is wrapped in a towel or soft cloth. Place the compress on the painful area for around twenty minutes at a time and several times a day. This treatment only works for about two days. Then comes the warm compress or even a warm bath in the treatment to relief severe lower back pain. Warmth to the area where there is severe lower back pain can help the blood flow in that area and help the muscles to relax. This is important to help the healing process.

Studies have shown that some bed rest helps to ease severe lower back pain. Don't stay down for too long though. Keeping active helps the back remain flexible. Too much bed rest can also cause further damage to the body such as depression, blood clots and muscle atrophy. When you do rest, use a pillow. Place it between your knees when lying on your back or side for comfort and support. Just remember to keep up those activities as soon as you can to help ease that severe lower back pain.

One key in helping to ease severe lower back pain is exercise. This can be done before the pain becomes severe. Exercise helps to strengthen the muscles and the spine. Yoga is a great exercise to ease severe lower back pain because it helps to stretch and strengthen the back. Most physical therapist who treat severe lower back pain will give a regiment of exercises that includes stretching. Walking and swimming exercises are also a great help in easing severe lower back pain.

Many people find relief of moderate to severe lower back pain by visiting a chiropractor. A chiropractor is trained in the ways to adjust the body and manipulate the spine to fix misalignments that can lead to lower back pain.

Medicines are often heavily relied on to treat severe lower back pain. Sometimes, the medical practitioner will recommend a combination of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Be sure to check with your doctor to know that they are safe for you.

Medications That Work

Oral over the counter and prescribed medications that can help ease severe lower back pain are called analgesics. Aspirin and ibuprofen are just a couple and can help reduce any swelling. Sprays and creams are available to help stimulate nerve endings on the skin. This helps to dull severe lower back pain. There are also tropical analgesics that help with swelling and blood flow. Antidepressants can also help with easing the different moods that can become a problem when dealing with severe lower back pain. .

Medicines prescribed by a physician such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone and hydrocodone can be used when severe lower back pain becomes way too much to bear. A health care provider should be the only one who prescribes these types of medications and you should be under their care for severe lower back pain when taking them. These medications do have some side effects. These side effects can be detrimental to people who are in severe lower back pain if not monitored.