How to manage acute back pain, advice and treatment options.

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• Don’t Panic – it is important to remember that severe pain is often not an indication of a serious problem. Soft tissue (muscle/tendon/ligament) injury can really hurt, but if treated appropriately can begin to calm down quite quickly.
• Use Ice NOT Heat – a lot of the pain in soft tissue injury comes from swelling and inflammation, just like a sprained ankle. So in the same way, a bag of frozen peas or even better a gel ice pack wrapped in thin tea-towel and applied for ten to fifteen minutes every one to two hours will make a big difference. However, seek professional advice if you have diabetes or circulatory problems.
• Keep Mobile – if at all possible, even if you are obliged to take bed rest, try and get up every couple of hours – it will stop you stiffening-up even more.
• Listen to your Body – pain is a warning, if what you are doing hurts – STOP. Do not try to push through the pain, it won’t be worth it.
• Rest – in whatever position feels good; there are no rights and wrongs.
• Don’t Lie on a Hard Floor – it isn’t in any way supportive for your back, it’s far too hard, you will stiffen-up badly as a result and it’s very hard to get up from down there!
• Take Appropriate Painkillers/Anti-Inflammatory Medication – seek advice if you are unsure what is suitable for you. Remember this will only help control your symptoms; it won’t correct the problem.
• See your Chiropractor – if your symptoms last more than two or three days. It is very important to ensure a short term problem doesn’t progress to something longer lasting.