Swelling can be caused by many different things, but pain is pain and I know all about back pain. Once I flew to Boston and by the time we landed I couldn't get out of my seat. After everyone got off, some guys came in for me with a wheel chair. Talk about a most embarrassing moment!

Anyway, after 2 years of severe spasms, swelling, and PAIN, I am under control and back to normal activities plus a lot of dancing. After an Orthopoedic Dr. found no real injury, just some herniated discs, I tried chiropractic (helped a little), massage therapy (felt great!), accupuncture (not for me, but I've heard others swear by it), and exercise.

I think what finally got me under control was a mix of massage therapy and exercise. Exercise has to be done right, though. Yoga and Pilates are the best way to go. Start easy. Mixing gentle stretches with core body strengthening exercises will definitely improve back pain. Also, as soon as swelling occurs, ice the area for 15 to 20 minutes. This will help too. BEST OF LUCK!!

I'd say that massage therapy is the best remedy for back swelling. I've studied a lot in massage therapy and I've actually been able to heal many back swellings by working out their cartilage knots and tendons. This especially occurs in the weightroom after heavy weightlifting takes place.

But anyway, I'd strongly suggest you to find someone to massage your back, whether professionally or just a friend who has done it before, I think it might surprise you how good massage therapy can be for the back.

Patrick