Do-it-yourself cures for what ails you

Chronic Backache

For some people, back pain is chronic, a part of everyday life. For whatever reason, the pain lingers on and on for what can seem like an eternity. Other people experience recurring pain; any little movement can set it in motion. The following tips are particularly helpful for those with chronic pain, although people with acute pain can benefit from them as well.

When to Call a Doctor


When does your back need medical backup? When you experience any of the following: • Back pain that comes on suddenly for no apparent reason • Back pain that is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, stomach cramps, chest pain, or difficulty breathing • An acute attack that lasts for more than 2 or 3 days without any pain relief • Chronic pain that lasts more than 2 weeks without relief • Back pain that radiates down your leg to your knee or foot You shouldn't always assume that back pain is a sign that something is wrong with just your back, notes Milton Fried, M.D. It could be a sign of some other disorder.

When does your back need medical backup? When you experience any of the following:

• Back pain that comes on suddenly for no apparent reason

• Back pain that is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, stomach cramps, chest pain, or difficulty breathing

• An acute attack that lasts for more than 2 or 3 days without any pain relief

• Chronic pain that lasts more than 2 weeks without relief

• Back pain that radiates down your leg to your knee or foot

You shouldn't always assume that back pain is a sign that something is wrong with just your back, notes Milton Fried, M.D. It could be a sign of some other disorder.

Panel of Advisors


Edward Abraham, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor of orthopedics at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine, and has a practice in Santa Ana. He originated the concept for outpatient back therapy in the United States. Richard A. Deyo, M.D., is a professor of medicine and health services and director of the Center for Cost and Outcomes Research at the University of Washington in Seattle. Milton Fried, M.D., is the founder and director of the Milton Fried Medical Clinic in Atlanta. He also holds degrees in chiropractic and physical therapy. David Lehrman, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital and the Miami Heart Institute in Miami Beach, Florida. Ronald Melzack, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of psychology at McGill University in Montreal. Roger Minkow, M.D., ergonomic consultant in Petaluma, California. Dennis Turk, Ph.D., is the John and Emma Bonica professor of anesthesiology and pain research at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Edward Abraham, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor of orthopedics at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine, and has a practice in Santa Ana. He originated the concept for outpatient back therapy in the United States.

Richard A. Deyo, M.D., is a professor of medicine and health services and director of the Center for Cost and Outcomes Research at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Milton Fried, M.D., is the founder and director of the Milton Fried Medical Clinic in Atlanta. He also holds degrees in chiropractic and physical therapy.

David Lehrman, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital and the Miami Heart Institute in Miami Beach, Florida.

Ronald Melzack, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus of psychology at McGill University in Montreal.

Roger Minkow, M.D., ergonomic consultant in Petaluma, California.

Dennis Turk, Ph.D., is the John and Emma Bonica professor of anesthesiology and pain research at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Remedies


Slumber on lumber	Lumber under the mattress will help the lumbar on top. "The object is to have a bed that doesn't sag in the middle when you sleep on it," says Dr. Fried.	1 2 3 4 5
Drown pain with a waterbed	An adjustable waterbed that doesn't make a lot of waves is excellent for most types of back trouble, says Dr. Fried. Dr. Abraham agrees.	1 2 3 4 5
Sleep in a "lazy S" shape	A bad back can't stomach lying facedown. "The best position for someone resting in bed is what we call the lazy S position," says Dr. Abraham.	1 2 3 4 5
Get into the fetal position	You'll sleep like a baby if you sleep on your side in the fetal position. "It's a good idea to stick a pillow between your knees when you sleep on your side," says Dr. Fried.	1 2 3 4 5
Take an aspirin a day	It can keep back pain away, claim the experts.	1 2 3 4 5
Wipe out pain with white willow bark	If you're looking for a natural anti-inflammatory, try some white willow bark, which can be found in capsule form in health food stores.	1 2 3 4 5
Visualize yourself pain-free	The middle of the night can be the worst time for pain. Pain wakes you up, and it keeps you up.	1 2 3 4 5
Turn your pain upside down	"Gravity inversion works wonders on back pain," says Dr. Fried. "Your spine is constantly compressed when you're standing.
Try tai chi to untie muscle knots	Tai chi is an ancient Chinese discipline of slow, fluid movements. "It's a great relaxation method that helps the muscles in your back," says Dr. Abraham, who uses the method himself.
Exercise your pain away	Exercise may be the last thing you want to think about when your back aches, but specialists say that exercise is the best thing going for chronic back pain.	1 2 3 4 5
Take a new car for a "test-sit."	While there are many causes for back pain, most people have what is called mechanical back pain, or pain related to sitting, standing, lifting, or bending, says Roger Minkow, M.D., who designs seats for airplane and automobile manufacturers.	1 2 3 4 5
Inflate a pillow	If you are not in the market for a new car, a blow-up cushion is a cheap fix for mechanical back pain, says Dr. Minkow.	1 2 3 4 5