How to Decrease Back Pain During a Flare-up

By: Dr. Tiffany T. Butler | February 14, 2023 | Read Time: 6 minutes

What do when your chronic back pain flare-up? A flare-up of back pain symptoms can be treated like an acute injury, even if you have a history of chronic, persisting back pain.

Chronic back pain flare-ups may be the result of one or more of the following:

• Reinjury
• Underlying pathology (e.g. arthritis)
• Inflammation
• Weakened muscles
• Limited range of motion (inflexibility)

For those who suffer from chronic back pain, finding ways to manage this condition is essential to your overall functional health and well-being. If you experience a flare-up of symptoms, follow the steps below.

#1: Chill Out for a Few Days

Rest for a few days and apply an ice pack (ice bag) to the area to reduce inflammation and swelling. Chances are, if you are experiencing a flare-up, inflammation will be present. In addition, resting and using ice therapy will provide temporary pain relief (e.g. numbing the pain), vasoconstriction (reduction of blood flow to the area, which will slow down swelling); and muscle spasms (muscle contraction will naturally pump inflammation and swelling out of the area). Check out this article, It Ain’t Acute to Be in Pain.

#2: Wear a Support Brace, if Necessary

Sometimes during a back pain flare-up, it can be difficult to move; however, where a lumbar support brace will provide additional support to the lower back; as well as provide compression in the area, which helps to “squeeze” inflammation and swelling out of the area. The lumbar support brace also will restrict movement, which may help to reduce pain when performing activities such as walking, standing, and sitting.

#3: Whole-Body Water Immersion

If you have access to a swimming pool, sauna, or hot tub, get in the water. Whole-body immersion in the water has numerous benefits, including, decreased pain levels; reduce inflammation and swelling; and improvement in joint flexibility. Click here to learn how Water Play such as swimming and water aerobics can improve your overall health and well-being.

#4: Get Treatment, Especially If You Experience Multiple Flare-ups

If you have been suffering from chronic back pain for years, you know there may be some days you experience tolerable levels of pain, and there are times when the pain can be so debilitating that you can’t do anything but lay in the bed.

Bottom Line: If you experience multiple flare-ups throughout the year, chances are you may have to work with a team of healthcare professionals, that can create a treatment plan so you can learn how to manage your chronic pain better.

Consider adding a chiropractor as part of your pain management team, so you can get the healthcare services and support you need to improve and/or maintain your functional health to be able to perform normal activities of daily living. Click here to learn how chiropractic care can help you fight against chronic back pain.

Dr. Tiffany T. Butler (aka “The Pain Doctor”) is a chiropractor, author, and entrepreneur. She leads Harmonious Living Chiropractic: Fitness & Wellness Center, a pain management practice, in offering healthcare solutions that focus on patient-centered care. Her team consists of individuals who are passionate about improving patient outcomes by providing chiropractic care, in conjunction with therapeutic procedures. Their services have helped hundreds of people find pain relief and improved their quality of life. To learn more about Dr. Butler visit https://www.drtiffanybutler.com/dr-butler/ Connect with Dr. Butler on social media #drtiffanybutler @drtiffanybutler