Long-term Knee and back pain can be excruciatingly painful for both patients and doctors. Lower back pain is a common disease in today’s youth, middle-aged, and elderly people. Aching neck pain or sciatic nerve pain affecting your back, hips, and legs, chronic back pain can have an impact on your overall health, work, and leisure time.
Unfortunately, 8 out of every 10 people experience knee and back pain at some point in their lives. Acute back pain can strike suddenly and last from a few days to a few weeks. A muscle strain from lifting a heavy object, an accident/injury, or joint inflammation is just a few of the conditions that can cause chronic back pain.
According to Dr. Vikas Mehra, an ortho doctor and the best knee replacement surgeon in Chandigarh, most people have nonsurgical options for treating knee and back pain. Many of my patients in my practice suffer from chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis develops when the natural cushion of cartilage in the knee wears away due to stress, strain, age, inflammation, or injury. This causes pain, which makes it difficult to enjoy life to the fullest. Fortunately, many non-surgical treatments can help reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. These treatments, when used alone or in combination, have the potential to reduce pain, increase mobility, and improve quality of life.
Non-surgical Knee and Back Pain Treatment
According to Dr. Mehra, the best orthopedic doctor in Chandigarh, there are numerous at-home knee and back pain remedies available to combat muscular or nerve-related back pain.
- Yoga And Physical Exercise
Exercises are effective ways to treat knee and back pain. Most back treatment therapies focus on consistent stretching and strengthening. Physical therapists teach patients proper sitting, standing, and movement postures for proper spine alignment and less back strain. They also teach aerobics and core strengthening exercises for back strengthening.
Consider yoga to relieve back pain, regardless of its severity. Patients with chronic back pain who participated in a 12-week yoga practice were less likely to take pain medication, according to Dr. Mehra, the best back pain doctor in Chandigarh. Exercises and yoga help to reduce muscle stiffness and discomfort. Toe-touch and leg lift exercises, on the other hand, should be avoided as they may put additional strain on your spine. Pelvic tilts, bringing each knee to your chest in a sequence and wall-sit exercises may be beneficial.
- Ice and Heat
Cold and/or hot therapy is a simple and inexpensive way to relieve knee and back pain. This topical application is effective as both primary and adjunct therapy in the treatment of knee and back pain. Hot and cold packs are effective in relieving lower back pain caused by degenerated discs, lower back injury, muscle pull, or muscle soreness from exercise.
For chronic lower back pain, always use ice packs first and then heat. Wrap a heated blanket around your lower back. You can also use an adhesive wrap that adheres to your lower back and provides many hours of less intense heat. If you suffer from chronic back pain, use heat therapy before going to bed. Carry ice packs and heat patches with you while driving or at work. Include these treatments in your daily routine to stimulate and encourage healing.
- Weight Control
According to Dr. Mehra, the leading back pain doctor in Chandigarh, excess body weight places stress on the knees and back. Because one of the goals of treating knee and back osteoarthritis is to reduce strain on the knee, losing weight can be a very effective way to reduce pain.
When we walk on a level surface, our knees absorb about 1.5 to 2 times our body weight. When we go up and down stairs or bend deeply, this can increase to 4 to 5 times our body weight. This means that even minor weight gain can exacerbate pain from knee arthritis. Fortunately, a small amount of weight loss can reduce strain and pain in the knees and back.
While knee osteoarthritis may limit the intensity and frequency of exercise options, there are still evidence-based ways to effectively lose weight with little or no exercise. Lifestyle and dietary changes can have a big impact. To assist with this, we collaborate with local doctors who can assist our patients in developing personalized weight loss plans.
- Appropriate Footwear
Shoes can have a significant impact on your spinal health and may be one of the best remedies for lower back pain. Improper footwear and bending the wrong way can be the most damaging to your spine. Arch support and cushioning can help with leg and back alignment and pain management.
Consider wearing flat heels for all-day comfort. Shoes with good cushion support can reduce the impact on your body and back while walking or running. Examine orthotic insoles to improve mobility and comfort while reducing back pain.
- Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Refined sugar, processed foods, and trans fats may satisfy your cravings, but they are unhealthy and can increase inflammation in your body. Inflammation can cause certain types of chronic back pain.
To reduce chronic pain, an anti-inflammatory diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, dairy products, soybeans, tofu, leafy green vegetables, and salmon fish (with bones) is recommended. Get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet to alleviate back pain.
Investigate optimal weight management to relieve pressure on your spine and alleviate back pain. Anti-inflammatory foods are as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin in treating back pain.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a Chinese traditional medicine practice that is used to treat chronic pain and diseases. A trained practitioner inserts needles into specific body points to relieve pain. There is no surgical procedure involved, only the pricking sensation of needles. Acupuncture therapy varies depending on the individual and the severity of the pain.
Acupuncture practitioners may consider including nerve stimulation in the treatment plan, in which mild electrical pulses delivered to the nerves block pain signals. A regular acupuncture regimen can provide significant relief from acute back pain.
- Conclusion
Stress management techniques such as social support from family and friends can also aid in the healing of knee and back pain. Hand therapy for spinal massage is available from licensed chiropractors. Make changes to your diet, fitness, and lifestyle to improve your knee and spinal health.
For more information, please contact Dr. Vikas Mehra, the best knee replacement surgeon in Mohali.