Back pain support for members

When you’re ready to treat your back pain, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor first. These techniques are often recommended:

• Cold therapy – For recent injuries or temporary pain, applying ice or cold water can reduce swelling, inflammation, pain and muscle soreness.
• Heat therapy – Using warm water or heating pads can help soothe pain and stimulate healing. You can also switch between cold and heat every 24 hours for the advantages of both.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines – Medicines like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can provide short-term relief. You can also use acetaminophen (Tylenol) for additional pain relief.
• Stretches and exercises – You can also help your body heal by changing your position and slowly moving your back muscles. Press-ups , heel raises and pelvic tilts are a good start in finding the right movements to help you feel better. Check with your doctor before starting any new stretching or exercise routine.
• Massage therapy and chiropractic care – Therapeutic massages from a back specialist can help relieve muscle tension and pain. Manipulations or adjustments performed by a chiropractor can also provide relief.

About 90% of spine conditions, including back pain, go away on their own with home treatment. But if your symptoms haven’t improved after two weeks or haven’t gone away completely within six to 12 weeks, it’s a good idea to see a doctor or clinician about next steps. You can also ask a registered nurse about your symptoms by calling CareLine – available 24/7/365 at no cost to HealthPartners members.

If you have any of the following symptoms along with back pain, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room right away:

Any of these symptoms could mean you’re dealing with a condition or injury that needs immediate attention.

When doctor-guided at-home care isn’t enough, there are many clinical treatment options to help with back pain, including:

• Physical therapy – This nonsurgical treatment is the best first course of care for back pain. Physical therapists are experts in using exercise and hands-on care to help improve, support and strengthen your back.
• Pain management – If you need more than physical therapy alone, a nonsurgical spine expert can use additional treatments to help manage your pain. These might include prescription anti-inflammatory medicines, muscle relaxants and steroids.
• Integrative medicine – Holistic treatments use the body’s natural healing ability to relieve pain and accelerate recovery. For example, yoga therapy and acupuncture can provide health benefits and complement your care plan. Check with your doctor for guidance.
• Interventional spine procedures – These treatments use imaging technology to find and treat the exact location of your pain using a small incision. This might help you recover faster with less risk of complications than surgery.
• Surgery – If other treatments aren’t relieving your back pain, surgery may be an option. Combined with rehabilitation and pain management, recovery can be within reach.