Back pains are quite a common nuisance in life. You wake up one morning with a stretching back pain, cannot move your lower body without a sharp pain, or maybe you pulled something while working out.

Regardless of the cause, chances are you will have to reach for analgesics to soothe the pain. Right? Wrong!.

Recent studies showed that analgesics are much less effective than advertised, with some even harmful in some cases of back pain. And, waist pain in particular, should not be one of such cases where we depend on these drugs to alleviate our suffering.

The Prevalence of Waist Pain

Before delving into why analgesics may not be the best option for waist pain, it is essential to highlight the frequency of this issue.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, approximately 25% of adults suffer from lower back pain each year.

This pain can be caused by various factors, including herniated or bulging disks, muscle or ligament strains, lumbar stenosis, or arthritis.

Without effective treatment, pain caused by these conditions can worsen, leading to possible mobility issues and an overall decrease in the patient’s quality of life.

Analgesics and Waist Pain

One of the first over-the-counter options that come to mind when treating pain is analgesics, such as Tylenol, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen.

While these drugs can be effective for some types of pain, research has demonstrated that they may not be the best option for waist pain.

A clinical review of analgesics by the Medical Letter concluded that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, are generally ineffective in treating lumbar pain and may cause gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding, kidney dysfunction, and worse outcomes when it comes to disability and time away from work.

Corticosteroids: Not Very Effective Either

If analgesics don’t quite do the job, another option your physician might suggest is a corticosteroid injection. However, even these have shown no significant benefit in the long-term treatment of back pain.

The American College of Physicians recently published a report on the prescription of corticosteroids. The study included six randomized controlled clinical trials testing the efficacy of these steroid treatments for lower back pain.

Their conclusion: Although some studies demonstrated that these epidural steroid injections have short-term benefits for back pain reduction, these benefits are modest and temporary (weeks to months), whereas long-term advantages have not been demonstrated.

Alternatives to Analgesics for Waist Pain

There are several non-pharmaceutical treatments known to help with waist pain:.

: Cold and Heat Therapy

Applying a cold or hot pack to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

Cold therapy brings down inflammation, reducing swelling and pain while heat therapy helps with the blood flow and parasympathetic nervous system relaxation.

: Physical Therapy

Exercises and stretches that help to strengthen and stretch the lower back muscles can help alleviate surrounding pressure and tension in the area.

When your waist pain is significant, physical therapy can offer the benefits of both pain management and strengthening. Your therapist can work with you on a plan to restore flexibility and movement, reducing your need for medication.

: Acupuncture

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has shown that acupuncture treatment—in which tiny needles are used to improve the body’s natural healing process—can be as effective as medication in some scenarios.

Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation and improve circulation in the affected regions, thereby reducing pain and discomfort.

: Mind-Body Therapy

A mind-body practice like yoga, Tai-Chi helps to soothe the nervous system and promote relaxation.

In combination with mind-body therapy, specific positions and stretches can be an incredibly valuable alternative to analgesics, especially with a skilled and experienced instructor.

Final Thoughts

It is possible to alleviate waist pain without relying on pills. While analgesics seemed like the go-to solution initially; several studies show that they do not alleviate waist pain in many cases.

While treatment options vary, several natural techniques have proven to be alternatives to analgesic medication, and when used together, they can provide amazing relief.