


But make sure to get instructions from your doctor or see a physical therapist to show you safe exercises and stretches for back pain. When your pain starts to subside, gentle exercise and stretches can help you return to normal activities, including work. Otherwise, try to walk around a bit throughout the day and stick to normal daily activities as much as possible, even if it hurts a little. Stay activeĮxtended bed rest is not recommended for back pain, though taking it easy for a few hours at a time is fine. If OTC pain relievers and other home remedies don’t help, your doctor may recommend prescription muscle relaxers. Excessive or prolonged use, especially of NSAIDs, can cause damage to the stomach and bleeding. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Learn more about treating pain with cold and heat. Heating pads and hot baths later can reduce tightness and spasms in the muscles of the lower back so you can move more freely. The standard “conservative” care includes: Heat and coldĪpplying cold packs to the painful area when you first start to feel pain can help to numb the nerves and reduce your discomfort. For new disc pain or a flare-up of an existing condition, current treatment guidelines recommend you first use self-care steps to relieve the symptoms and wait for your back to heal. Disc-related back pain and sciatica often gets better on its own in a few weeks, though in some cases it can last longer.
