Back pain – the home treatment that you should never underestimate

Back pain is a common condition that usually improves by itself within a few weeks or months, according to the NHS.

It could be caused by sleeping in the wrong position, having bad posture, or even by a small injury.

There are a number of “overlooked” home treatments for lower back pain that you should never underestimate.

Soothing back pain with a hot or cold compress is a great way to reduce pain, it’s been claimed.

Using a hot or cold compress is often underestimated in tackling back pain, according to medical website Spine-Health.

Not only do they help to reduce inflammation, but they also instigated the healing process, it said.

A cold compress works as a local anaesthetic, and slows down nerve pulses.

Similarly, a hot compress prevents pain messages from being sent to the brain.

“Don’t underestimate the pain reduction of simply applying cold packs and/or hot packs to help reduce your lower back pain and spur the healing process,” said the medical website.

“Cold application has two primary benefits. It reduces inflammation, which is usually a culprit in any type of back pain.

“It acts as a local anaesthetic by slowing down nerve impulses, which keeps the nerves from spasming and causing pain.

“Heat application has two primary benefits. It inhibits the pain messages being sent to the brain.

“It stimulates blood flow, which brings healing nutrients to the affected area of the low back.”

Heat therapy can come in a number of different forms, but it’s a good idea to stick to what works for you.

A hot bath or shower works just as well as soaking in hot tub, using a heat pad or a hot water bottle.

The most common type of back pain in the UK is lower back pain, said the NHS.

It’s usually nothing to worry about and gets better by itself within a few weeks or months.

Painkillers could provide short-term relief for back pain patients.

Speak to a GP if you have back pain and a numbness around the genitals.

A swelling in the back, difficulty passing urine, or chest pain should also be seen by a doctor if it’s accompanied by back pain.