When you first suffer back pain, are you one of those people who wait to see how things go? Are you someone who lives in hope that your will miraculously disappear overnight? Don't worry you are in good company as the majority of sufferers do the same.

It is a common thing to do, because most will settle by itself within a few weeks. But what if it doesn't?

Are there things you can do to make sure it disappears within a few days or even possibly within a few hours? After all who wants to wait and hope that your will disappear after a few weeks anyway?

So what can you do?

One of the simplest things is to use ice. Yes plain cold ice. If you use ice in the first 48 hours most will ease and disappear within that time, and sometimes within the day.

Now please remember, if you have had a fall or major injury, use ice - but use it on the way to see your doctor or hospital. It is still essential to be checked over, if you have had an injury that has led to back pain.

But let's assume it is a minor injury, you have spent too much time in the garden, lifted one too many pieces of wood, work too hard or something similar…

As soon as your occurs, put ice on it. Ice works as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Most initially loves ice. It will help it heal and remove pain quicker than anything else.

What you need to do is this…

Put ice on the area of pain; leave it on for ten minutes only. Then place heat on the area, again for ten minutes only. Then repeat this process and finally finish with ice for another ten minutes.

After 48 hours then finish with heat, as heat improves the blood supply and eases muscle tension. Most times you will not need to do this as your pain would have disappeared.

If you apply the ice/heat treatment every few hours, then within the day the majority of will disappear. Even if it is a minor issue, still use ice. It is people like you and me, who wait a few hours or days to "see how things go" who end up having pain for weeks.

Early intervention is the best approach for all back pain. Using ice is one simple technique you can use that can limit the time you spend in back pain.

This does not mean the process ends there. What you now need to do is learn ways to prevent your occurring. Most occurs not from large falls or injuries. It arrives after doing normal common everyday activities. Activities you have done a hundred times before. Yet today your arrives.

For this to happen it means tension and stress on your muscles and joints has increased over days, weeks or months. Today is the day an overload occurs and happens. Sure ice will ease your now, but you need to learn simple and highly effective ways to remove and prevent back pain… permanently.

Dr Graeme Teague

Dr Graeme Teague is an expert in the structural field, and has been in practice since 1991. His newly launched web site The Back Pain Advisor - strives to give you valuable and expert advice, tips and information on your back pain isues.
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