Low back pain is a common condition that can be caused by many different factors. It may be as simple as a strain or sprain, or it may be more serious and require treatment with surgery.
See Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe for all kinds of spine treatments. She is the top rated spine surgeon in Los Angeles by findatopdoc for the past three years.
If you have recently had back surgery or you are experiencing persistent back pain due to any reason, your doctor will probably recommend that you take certain steps to help manage your low back pain at home. Here are the five most important things to do:
- Stay active as much as you can. Low impact exercises such as swimming and walking are good options for people who have had low back surgery. Avoid strenuous workouts or heavy lifting until your doctor says it’s okay.
- Use a pillow to prop up your knees when you sleep at night. This will help support the lumbar spine, which is typically the most painful area after surgery. Put the pillow under both knees if possible, but don’t force yourself into this position if it causes pain or doesn’t feel right for you.
- Do not bend over at all until after 6 weeks post-surgery (unless instructed otherwise by a physician). Bend at the hips, not at the waist! This will help prevent straining muscles in the low back area further down the road after surgery has occurred.
- Try heat or cold packs. The heat helps relax muscles and increase blood flow, which can help reduce inflammation. Cold packs can decrease swelling and stiffness by slowing down nerve impulses in the area.
- Stretch your back muscles. Stretching exercises can help strengthen your back muscles, improve flexibility and relieve tension in the joints of your spine. To do this type of exercise, lie on your stomach with your arms resting at your sides or behind your head while keeping them slightly bent at the elbows. Push up with both arms until they are straight but not locked; hold for 10 seconds then slowly lower yourself back down to the starting position. Repeat this stretch five times for each side of your body every day until you no longer feel any pain or discomfort when doing so.
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Strengthen core muscles with exercises such as sit-ups, side bends, and leg lifts against gravity (as opposed to against resistance bands). These exercises will also help prevent muscle imbalances which can lead to low back pain.
See a Doctor for Best Spine Treatment in Los Angeles
If home remedies are not working for you and you continue to experience persistent back pain, perhaps it is the time you see a doctor. Chronic back pain if ignored can lead to serious medical conditions. Timely diagnosis not only helps in complete recovery but also expedites the whole process. We recommend you to see Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe at Southern California Brain & Spine Surgery. She is the primary health care provider at the facility and sees patients with brain and spine issues. You can rely on her for complete diagnosis and treatment of your back pain. She is a neurosurgeon and can also advise you if your back pain needs surgical treatment or if medications would do the job.