There’s a difference between chronic back pain and acute, yet many people will declare they have chronic back pain, thinking it means excruciating pain. Acute is the rapid onset of anything – acute pain, acute illness, acute stress, etc. Chronic means long-term anything – chronic pain, chronic stress, chronic illnesses, etc.

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Chronic back pain is defined as, by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, pain that lasts over 12 weeks. That’s because, typically, a back injury can repair itself within 12 weeks and might be painful until it’s fully healed. If you have back pain lasting longer than 12 weeks, keep reading to discover 4 treatments that may help.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage helps to relieve chronic pain, tight and sore muscles, and even stress and anxiety. A massage therapist uses slow, deep motions to stimulate blood flow to the desired area while removing toxins. Some people find it uncomfortable, especially near sore parts, but the relief is worth the pain. For chronic back pain, regular deep tissue massage treatments can help. One-off treatments will have more of an instant effect rather than a long-lasting one.

Chiropractor

Chiropractic treatments are effective at reducing or even resolving chronic pain. It’s a pseudoscience alternative to invasive treatments and medications that some people like to explore. Chiropractors can treat multiple conditions associated with muscle and nerve pain. They use various methods of diagnosis to understand the cause of the pain before treating it – you can learn more by visiting Myevolvechiropractor.com. Generally, people need multiple appointments to achieve their desired result of reduced pain.

Physiotherapy/Hydrotherapy

Physiotherapy is massively underrated. People are advised to have physiotherapy but become non-compliant with the exercises at home and wonder why the pain isn’t fading. When used appropriately, physiotherapy uses various exercises that should increase the range of movement, promote injury recovery, and reduce the risk of future injuries. Physiotherapy is highly effective at treating chronic back pain caused by injuries, helping reduce inflammation, and improving your range of motion. This can help improve your ability to function independently and live a normal life. If you’re looking for more information on the benefits of physiotherapy, be sure to visit mindnmovement.com.sg. They have a wealth of information on the topic, including articles outlining the different types of physiotherapy available and how they can help treat your specific condition.

Hydrotherapy is the use of water for pain relief and injury recovery. As your body moves in the warm water, your muscles relax, and the pain should ease. The water holds your body weight as you follow specific exercises for lower back pain that are guided by a physiotherapist or another professional, many of which recommend hydrotherapy as part of physiotherapy.

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy isn’t the most well-known treatment – it’s more of a last resort treatment because of the cost implications. Professionals attach a device to the area of the back that needs targeting containing electrodes that receive the electrical current. Electrical pulses fire towards the area that needs targeting to relieve the pain. The device used most often is a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit (TENS) – a device you may have heard of before.

Private clinicians offer this type of treatment, but you should always consult the advice of your primary clinician first.

After the 12-week mark, you can assume that the back pain you’re experiencing won’t go away on its own. There are many more treatments to explore, including invasive surgeries for more severe injuries or conditions. If you are experiencing prolonged back pain, speak to your doctor today to find a suitable treatment path.