When it comes to first-aid treatment for a back strain, there are things you should and shouldn’t be doing.
For example, you don’t want to push through your day, hoping that this will help you forget about the pain and discomfort.
Instead, there are a few key steps you need to take right away:
- Stop what you are doing to ensure that you receive treatment as quickly as possible. This is the only way to ensure that you understand what type of injury you are really dealing with.
- Get plenty of rest. You can’t expect your back injury to get better if you keep pushing yourself.
- Use ice several times per day, especially for the 48 hours following your injury.
- Medication, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can assist with the relief of pain and swelling.
It’s easy to believe that you have a back strain; however, you could come to find that your injury is much more serious. In this case, you need to learn more about what went wrong and how to immediately treat the issue.
If you suffered your injury on the job, be sure to share the necessary details with your employer. For instance, they should know how the injury happened and what you’re doing to treat it.
If your medical team tells you to avoid work for an indefinite period of time, don’t go against their wishes. The rest you receive could be just what you need to treat your injury.
To make your life easier during this difficult time, you’ll want to consider applying for workers’ compensation benefits. It won’t do anything for your injury, but it can help you from a financial perspective.
Source: Healthline, “Essential Sports First Aid for Back Strain,” accessed Feb. 21, 2018