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- $Unique_ID{BRK00232}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Can You Do About Back Pain?}
- $Subject{back pain treatments Musculoskeletal Connective Tissue oral
- medications medication muscle relaxants analgesics anti-inflammatory agents
- physical measures bed rest massage heat corsets braces exercise injected drugs
- steroids local anesthetics Counter-stimulation electrical nerve stimulation}
- $Volume{M-18}
- $Log{
- Muscles of the Back*0005003.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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-
- What Can You Do About Back Pain?
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-
- QUESTION: It would seem that I have lived a life plagued by frequent and
- recurring bouts with back pain. I barely bend over to perform the smallest
- task and I can feel it go out, and know I am at war again. So it's back to
- pills and liniments. What else is there that can help? I would appreciate
- any suggestions.
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-
- ANSWER: You have read it before, and here I go again. Each case is
- individual, and the treatment strategy must fit the circumstances. But here
- is a general list of things that can be done and a personal recommendation for
- you. First there are oral medications: muscle relaxants, analgesics and
- anti-inflammatory agents. They help, but rarely can correct the situation
- alone. Next, physical measures: bed rest, massage, heat, corsets and braces,
- and exercise. More help, but each must be used appropriately as part of a
- complete program. Another treatment, injected drugs: steroids, local
- anesthetics only offer temporary relief that is short lived.
- Counter-stimulation may be used, employing electrical nerve stimulation to
- overcome the pain broadcast by the nerves in the injured muscles. A bit
- controversial, and costly. Last, but by no means least in my book, education
- and behavior modification: In clinics specializing in these injuries, a team
- approach may bring you some new information that will aid you in preventing
- injury, and dealing with it when it does occur. A specific program of
- exercises that restore the strength to back muscles, increase flexibility, and
- help adapt to the tasks you may have in your daily living, in the last
- analysis, may be the way for you to escape a life time of repetitive and
- frustrating "battles".
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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-