If you have suffered from spine and neck injuries in Cincinnati or elsewhere, you already know the extreme level of pain that can go along with these issues. Whether you are facing upcoming spinal surgery or just coping with a minor injury that left you with lingering pain in your back and neck, here are some tips to help you cope with spine and neck injuries.
First, get adequate rest. When you suffer a spine or neck injury, it’s important that you rest the injured area as it heals. Most doctors recommend that you rest your back for one or two days in bed. After that, you should attempt to start moving it around again. Start slow by walking around the room or taking a stroll across the house. Then rest again and regain your strength. Gradually, each time you get up and move around, you should be able to do more and more. Talk to your doctor to find out how long you should allow the injured area to rest so you avoid doing any further damage.
Second, use heat and ice to treat the injured areas. During the first few days after your spine or neck injuries, apply ice to reduce swelling and numb the pain. Apply an ice pack to the effected area for five minutes and then remove for half an hour. You can repeat this as often as necessary. After two or three days, you can switch from ice packs to a heating pad to reduce muscle spasms and ease the pain. Apply a heating pad to the painful area for 20 minutes and then take it off for 20 minutes. Repeat as often as desired.
Third, talk to your doctor about taking painkillers. Depending on the severity of your injuries, your doctor may subscribe a prescription strength pain reliever or suggest you take Ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain. Tylenol might also be a good choice to help with pain if it isn’t too severe. For serious injuries, doctors will likely prescribe something much stronger to help you rest and alleviate pain from major spine and neck injuries.
Fourth, examine your lifestyle and determine if you need to make some changes to prevent future injuries. If you smoke, it is important that you give up the tobacco habit as quickly as possible. Smoking can increase your risk for degenerative discs in the spine, which often leads to chronic back pain and eventual spinal surgery. If you are overweight, you should talk to your doctor about how you can most effectively lose weight to reduce the strain on your back and neck.
JourneyLite provides compassionate care when you have spine and neck injuries in Cincinnati. Learn more about their treatment, visit them online!
