Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the U.S. 

Most adults experience back pain, ranging from mild to severe, at some point in their lives. Back pain treatment can resolve the pain, stop it from getting worse, or prevent it from becoming a chronic condition. 

With busy schedules, long travel times, and lack of health insurance, not everyone can make it to a doctor. That’s why online doctors offer a great alternative. Online doctors can treat patients from the comfort of their homes — at a much lower cost than in-person providers. 

This guide from HealthTap explains what makes online treatment useful for back pain. 

What causes back pain?

Back pain is often a symptom of another condition. Addressing the underlying condition can help to bring some relief. 

These are some possible causes of back pain: 

• Muscle strain 
  A muscle strain can result from an acute injury or gradual overuse. When muscle fibers stretch or tear, they can result in inflammation, swelling, and pain. A muscle strain has to heal for the pain to subside.   

• Spondylosis
  Spondylosis happens when the spine's cartilage, joints, and bones break down. It’s due to normal wear-and-tear that comes with old age.

• Intervertebral disc degeneration
  Discs provide cushioning to the spine. Discs are a soft, squishy substance that can begin to break down with age. Without proper cushioning, the spine's bones can rub against each other, causing pain.  

• Herniated discs
  If spinal discs can suffer physical trauma, they can rupture. When the substance they’re made out leaks, it can press against spinal nerves and cause back pain. 

• Sciatica
  Sciatica is pressure on the sciatic nerve, running along the back of the leg from the buttocks to the feet. Sciatica can cause pain in the lower back, buttocks, and hamstrings. 

• Arthritis
  Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes the body’s healthy joint tissues to break down. It can affect the back, leading to pain in the region. 

• Osteoporosis
  Due to a lack of minerals (like calcium) and vitamin D, the bones can become brittle over time. Osteoporosis is prevalent in old age. If the vertebrae (bones in the spine) become weak enough, they can lead to a painful spinal fracture. 

• Kidney stones
  Kidney stones consist of minerals like calcium and uric acid. They can gather in the kidneys, leading to sharp pain in the lower back as they pass through the urinary tract.  

How is back pain treated? 

Doctors treat back pain based on what caused it. For example, muscle strain treatment differs from kidney stone treatment. It’s essential to get to the root cause of the pain — otherwise, the symptoms may persist or reappear. Treatment options are available for almost all conditions. Sometimes, an in-person examination is needed.

These are some back pain treatment options to consider. 

1. Medication 

Painkillers are not a long-term solution, but they help to relieve immediate pain. Over-the-counter painkillers (NSAIDs) work for pain, don’t need a prescription and have few side effects other than stomach irritation. 

Some popular NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Naprosyn). If NSAIDs don’t work for someone, another short-term over-the-counter option is acetaminophen (Tylenol). 

Muscle relaxants can also manage back pain. They require a prescription and work by reducing muscle tension and muscle spasms. Some popular muscle relaxants include cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), tizanidine (Zanaflex), and metaxalone (Skelaxin). 

2. Ice or heat therapy

While ice and heat can be soothing for back pain, this therapy is especially useful for injuries. 

Heat therapy increases blood circulation and brings more oxygen to injured tissues. Heat therapy can also make muscles less stiff and more flexible, which can help with movement. 

Ice therapy decreases circulation to the injured site. Ice may also help with pain, reducing inflammation and decreasing recovery time. Using both heat and ice therapies at different times can work better than one treatment on its own. 

3. Gentle exercise 

Some conditions can make it hard for patients to exercise. Movement is essential for healing. Exercise can increase circulation, promote flexibility, and boost feel-good endorphin hormones.

Some gentle exercise options include brisk walking, yoga, tai chi, and light stretching. A patient can choose whatever feels good to them. The important thing is to move around in some way because being sedentary can worsen back pain. 

4. Stress management 

Stress may contribute to back pain. When someone is anxious, their muscles can become tense, worsening pain. Stress can also worsen inflammation symptoms, which can interfere with healing. Managing stress through meditation, yoga, and breathwork may help with back pain. 

5. Physical therapy

Physical therapy involves exercises that increase flexibility and strength in the back. The main goal of physical therapy is to increase a patient’s ability to move while strengthening the back muscles. 

Because everyone’s case is unique, a physical therapist will do an assessment and create special exercises for the patient. Initially, patients do these exercises under a physical therapist’s supervision. But once the patient feels comfortable, they can do their exercises at home.

Physical therapy is not useful for patients with certain conditions, such as kidney stones. But, the majority of musculo-skeletal back pain conditions can respond to physical therapy. 

6. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a healing technique used in traditional Chinese medicine. It places small needles in the skin, which can improve circulation. Acupuncture may also help release endorphin hormones, which are the body’s natural painkillers. 

An acupuncture session may last up to one hour. Patients may get some relief after the first session but likely need regular sessions for lasting results. 

Who are online doctors for back pain?

Online doctors are like traditional doctors, with one key difference: They meet with their patients through video visits. Online doctors can diagnose, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and monitor a patient’s progress, but are unable to do hands-on exams. 

Online doctors are available in many specialties, including primary care, women’s and men’s health, mental health, and urgent care. 

Can online doctors treat back pain?

Online doctors can be very good at treating back pain. Like an in-person doctor’s visit, an online doctor begins the appointment by asking about new and existing symptoms and what led up to them. The doctor will also ask about the patient’s medical history, any potential allergies, and which medications they are taking. 

Online doctors can diagnose based on symptoms and what they see using a video camera. They can give their patients a diagnosis based on the data they collect.

For back pain, treatment can include medication, lifestyle changes, and recommendations to see specialists or physical therapists. Once the patient begins their treatment, they can meet with their doctor on video regularly to ensure their treatment is working for them. If any changes are needed, their doctor can update their treatment plan. 

Is online treatment better for back pain? 

There may be some disadvantages to online treatment, such as the inability of doctors to do a hands-on physical examination. For the most part, online treatment has many advantages, including some of the following. 

1. It’s more accessible 

The main advantage of online visits is that they can take place anywhere — including in the comfort of a patient’s home. 

Not everyone can travel to their doctor, especially if it’s a specialist located far away. Those who don’t have access to transportation, experience mobility issues, or are underage can’t always make it to their doctor’s office. Almost everyone has a computer or a smartphone, making online treatment more accessible. 

2. It may be quicker 

An online doctor can usually see their patients much sooner than an in-person doctor. Patients can make an appointment as soon as the same day using a convenient online scheduling platform. 

3. It may be safer

Those with underlying health conditions may be concerned about going in public due to COVID-19. This can lead some patients to skip crucial medical care, making them more prone to complications. Because online visits don’t need any in-person contact, they may be a safer option for those concerned about the virus. 

4. It can be more educational 

If a patient meets with their online doctor from home, they can provide more information that the doctor can use. It is helpful for the doctor to know about the patient's home environment and family history. 

5. It may be less expensive

Online treatment may be less expensive than in-person visits. Because online doctors do not have to pay for office space, they can provide their patients with more affordable services. Considering that almost 10 percent of U.S. adults don’t have health insurance, online care (telemedicine) can help to provide necessary care to many patients. 

Takeaways 

Various medical conditions can cause back pain. Meeting with an online doctor can help to provide quick, efficient, and low-cost treatment.

If you have back pain, HealthTap can connect you with a doctor as soon as possible — from the comfort of your home. If the doctor finds that a hands-on exam is needed, you may be recommended to go to an in-person clinic after your online visit. Don’t delay treatment: Schedule your visit today.