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| Diagnosis and Treatment to Help Reduce Pain |
| When You Get Home |
You don't need to stay in bed when you get home In fact, it's best to walk around if you feel up to it. Just be careful about being too active. Even if you feel better right away, avoid activities that may strain your back. Keep in mind that some patients may feel increased pain at first. It usually goes away within a few days.
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| The First Few Days |
An injection to reduce inflammation takes a day or two to work. There may even be more pain at first. An injection to help locate the source of pain may give only brief pain relief. Later, you'll feel the same as you did before the injection. Follow up on treatment with your doctor. Whether you were injected for pain relief or diagnosis, these tips will help you recover: |
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Take walks when you feel up to it. |
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Rest if needed, but get up and move around after sitting for half an hour. |
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Don't exercise vigorously. |
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Don't drive the day of the procedure or until your doctor says it's OK. |
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Return to work or other activities when your doctor says you're ready. |
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| When to Call Your Doctor |
| Call right away if you notice any of the following symptoms: |
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Severe pain or headache |
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Loss of bladder or bowel control |
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Fever or chills |
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Redness or swelling around the injection site |
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| Improving Strength and Motion |
Exercises and good body mechanics (how you move) may help keep pain from returning or worsening. The exercises below help build strength and flexibility. Your doctor may suggest other exercises for you to try. Call your doctor if you feel any new or lasting pain after exercising. |
| Pelvic Tilt |
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Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat. |
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Tighten your stomach and buttocks, and gently press your low back into the bed. This tilts your pelvis. |
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Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat «? " 10 times. Do this twice a day. |
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| Partial Sit-Up |
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Lie on your back with your feet flat, your knees bent, and your arms crossed over your chest. |
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Slowly raise your head and shoulders off the floor |
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Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat -10 times. Do this twice a day. |
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| Lifting Safely |
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No matter how strong your back is, lift safely to prevent injuries. Make it a rule to follow these steps: |
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Stand close to the object. |
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Bend at the hips and knees. Keep your ears, shoulders, and hips in line. |
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Hold the object close to your body. |
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Press down with your feet and lift using your legs, not your back. |
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| The Road to a Healthier Back |
Whether your injection was for relieving pain or locating pain, you can take steps toward a healthier back. Talk to your doctor. Learn the best way to treat your pain. If it worsens, let your doctor know. But often, your back health is under your control. Exercise and good body mechanics help. Other choices in your life also can make a difference.
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| Choosing a Healthy Back |
| Making the lifestyle choices below can play a role in maintaining back health. |
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Quit smoking. Nonsmokers are less likely than smokers to have back pain. |
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Eat healthy. A low-fat, high-fiber diet can help control weight and improve back health. |
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Manage stress. Keeping stress in check can ease and may prevent back pain. |
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Stay active. Physical activity, even walking, can help reduce pain and increase flexibility and strength. |
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