Back pain can be debilitating. Nine out of ten people will experience back pain symptoms at some point in their lives. Different things can cause back pain. Sometimes sleeping on surface that does not offer consistent support, such as an old mattress, will cause aches and pains. Improper bending, twisting and lifting can also cause lower back pain.

When a person’s back starts hurting, he should consider what caused the pain, so that he can avoid similar situations in the future. Next, he should consider treatment options.

There are many effective treatment options available for the person that experiences back pain. Heat therapy is often used for chronic back pain, as it has been shown to reduce the pain level and induce a relaxed state. Massage, especially pressure point massage, can alleviate back pain symptoms. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, has been proven to reduce pain. Chiropractic manipulation can also help with pain management, and has been proven to be more effective than a placebo.

Surgery is only considered when other treatments have not brought about the desired relief, or when the pain was caused by an emergency. Although surgery may give immediate relief, it can have side effects that may occur after several years. This should be taken into consideration before a person chooses to have surgery for chronic back pain.

Some treatments are considered ineffective. Cold treatment and ultrasound have both been found to not bring about sufficient relief from back pain symptoms. Inversion therapy also has doubtful benefit. More than one or two days of bed rest is not recommended, as it can cause additional stiffness which will worsen pain. Continuing regular activities as tolerated will bring about relief more quickly than lying in bed all day.

Regular stretching exercises contribute to overall back health, and correctly-applied back strengthening exercises can make a person less likely to injure his back in the future. Back exercises have been shown to be helpful with chronic pain, but are not as helpful with acute pain.

Lower back pain may slow a person down, but it does not have to stop him. Proven treatments exist to help chronic back pain sufferers finally beat the pain and get back to the life that is waiting for them.