WHAT NON-INVASIVE PAIN MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MY BACK PAIN?

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for doctor visits in the United States. It’s estimated that up to 80% of the American population will experience some form of back pain or discomfort at some point during their lifetime.

Some patients suffering from back pain may require spine surgery by a professional and experienced spine surgeon. Spine surgery can help to relieve the pressure on your nerves. This helps to improve your mobility, sleep, and everyday life.

Spine surgery options aren’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have pain management options available to you.

Non-surgical spine care treatments

For those who are looking for non-surgical and non-invasive procedures to help them manage their back pain, there are multiple options available such as anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, and physical therapy.

Spinal injections for pain management

Spinal injections work like direct anti-inflammatories. Medication is injected into the spinal area where the patient is experiencing pain. The resulting effect reduces inflammation and helps to achieve pain relief among other symptoms depending on the type of spinal injury you have.

There are a variety of different types of spinal injections including:

• Sacroiliac joint injections: This type of injection is done under the guidance of an X-ray machine and helps to deliver medication to the sacroiliac joints between the pelvic bones. Typically, only one of these joints causes the patient pain in the leg, buttock, and lower back on one side of the body.
• Epidural injections: This type of injection is meant to reduce inflammation and pain by applying medication to a specific nerve. Both anti-inflammatory medication and anesthetic are injected into the area.
• Facet joint injections: This type of injection is used to help treat lower back, middle back, and neck pain caused by injury or degenerative arthritic disorders. This injection can either be delivered to the nerves surrounding the facet joint or directly into the joint.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is a treatment that uses exercise, stretching, and hot/cold treatment to help patients regain movement and comfort after surgery or injury. The length of the therapeutic treatment depends on the condition of the patient. Types of physical therapy used for spinal conditions and back pain include:

• Exercise
• Ice application
• Electrical Stimulation Treatments
• Body Mechanics and Spinal Positioning

Different treatments work best for different patients. Whether you’re considering undergoing spinal surgery or you would rather receive non-surgical spinal treatment, there are options for pain management available to you. For more information on pain management solutions for your spinal condition, contact the neurology and physical therapy services of OrthoNeuro today.