Back pain management leads to the total removal of back pain and restoration of normalcy in a few weeks, if done properly. Home back pain management could be undertaken if the physician recommends that. On the other hand, trying to strengthen an inhibited muscle on one's own could lead to a substitution pattern, thus aggravating the pain further. Hence, it is always desirable to practice back pain management under the supervision of the physician and the physiotherapist or a spine therapist. They would be in a position to monitor the condition of the back pain at every stage and either increase or reduce medication and exercises for faster recovery.
The ideal back pain management program would start with a few days of rest, which are utilized to strengthen the muscles. Stretching exercises would follow to restore full flexibility to the strained muscles. This process would be supplanted by conservative medication like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, application of heat pads and ice bags, etc. The back pain management would invariably include exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles in the front, as well as the gluteal muscles in the back. This is to provide a strong midline support to the body for reducing the strain and stress already placed upon the lower back and pelvis.
Pain management for the upper back and neck would again depend on the causes of the back and neck pain. Normally, upper back and neck pain is the result of an accident or a fall or other such injury. However, over a period of time, upper back and neck pain could creep in due to improper sitting/working postures or lack of regular exercise. It has to be remembered that the upper back and the neck share the same set of muscles. Hence, maintaining the strength and the flexibility of the upper back muscles and shoulder muscles is important for avoiding upper back and neck pain. Upper back and neck pain management is done by the conservative treatment methods of medication and physical therapy in most of the cases. However, surgery might be required when the pain persists for a long time and is not amenable to normal treatments.
Exercise videos and yoga videos are available in abundance for back pain management. It would be difficult to find out which of them are authentic and which are imitations. Hence, it would be better to consult a physician, who could recommend a genuine yoga video or exercise video for home treatment. The doctor would be able to select the right video that would suit the specific conditions of the patient.
There are several accredited hospitals and institutions in Toronto for effective back pain management. The Wasser Pain Management Centre at the Mount Sinai Hospital in downtown Toronto is an example. This institution renders a multi-dimensional pain management service. The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine opened its Pain Management & Sports Medicine Clinic in June 2006. This clinic offers complementary and alternative treatment for chronic pain and sports-related injuries. The clinic specializes in non-invasive treatments like yoga and meditation, acupuncture, etc. There are several other renowned facilities in Toronto for back pain management. Only two have been mentioned here for want of space.
The ideal back pain management program will start with a few days of rest