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This is the last of a 3 - part serial publication on back pain . The first two pillar were about causes and prevention . This one is about treatments .

Treatment for back annoyance generally depends on whether it is sharp or continuing . Acute back pain usually have right on its own . discussion for chronic back pain is either non - surgical or surgical . In most cases , back pain does not require surgical operation .

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The following are common non - operative treatment forchronic back pain . They have varying degree of support from the aesculapian community . You should assay your own medico ’s advice about any of them .

  • Hot or inhuman packs can be solace .

  • Exercisecan help ease chronic pain and perhaps tighten its endangerment of returning .

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  • medication are used to do by chronic back pain . These include over - the - counter pain in the ass - relievers such Tylenol ; nonsteroidal anti - incitive drugs ( NSAIDs ) such as ibuprofen that relieve both pain and firing ; prescription narcotic such as oxycodone ; topical anodyne such as Ben Gay ; muscle relaxant and certain antidepressants .

  • Traction , which employs pulley-block and weights to dilute the back , pulls the vertebrae aside to allow a bulging disc to mistake back into position .

  • Injections into nerves , spinal joints or specific areas of infliction .

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  • Spinal manipulation concern to procedures in which professional utilize their hands to cover the spur or surrounding tissues .

  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation(TENS ) involves wear a small box over the painful sphere that directs mild electric impulses to nerves there .

  • Acupuncture , which involves the interpolation of fragile needles at exact placement , is used to relieve pain .

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  • In acupressure , no needle are used . alternatively , a healer go for pressure to points with mitt , elbows , or even foot .

  • Rolfing is a eccentric of massage involving strong pressure on deep tissues in the back to relieve concentration .

Some of the conditions that may require surgical operation include :

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  • Herniated , or ruptured discs that are damaged and irritate nearby nerves .

  • spinal anesthesia stenosis , the narrowing of the spinal canal .

  • Spondylolisthesis , a circumstance in which a vertebra dislocates .

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  • Vertebral fault triggered by trauma or crumbling of the vertebrae .

  • Degenerative platter disease brought on by aging .

  • Laminectomy / discectomy in which part of the lamina , a portion of the bone on the back of the vertebra , is remove . The herniated disc is then get rid of .

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  • Microdiscectomy removes a herniated disc through a lowly incision in the back . The Doctor of the Church use a magnifying microscope in this operation .

  • Laser surgery . During this procedure , the operating surgeon insert a phonograph needle in the disc that delivers a few salvo of laser Department of Energy to vaporize the tissue paper in the disc . This reduce its size and save pressure on the nerves .

  • In a laminectomy , the physician make a large section down the moved sphere of the spine and removes the lamina and any bone acantha , which are overgrowths of ivory , that may have formed in the spinal channel because of osteoarthritis .

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  • In spinal fusion , two or more vertebra are join together using pearl graft , nookie , and rod to stop slippage of an unnatural vertebrae .

  • Disc surrogate : When a saucer is herniated , one alternative to   remove the disc and supersede it with a synthetic disc .

The Healthy Geezer column publishes each Monday on LiveScience . If you would like to ask a enquiry , please writefred@healthygeezer.com . © 2010 by Fred Cicetti .

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