Has persistent back pain got you down? Are you no longer able to enjoy the activities you love the most? If you wish to get back to a fun and active lifestyle, have your back pain assessed by a physician, particularly an orthopedic physician or spine specialist.
Without a diagnosis, you are in the dark about what’s causing you back pain. By having a specialist give you a diagnosis, you will be able to explore the right treatments for your back pain.
The main goal of back pain treatment is pain relief, prevention of further injury, and improving mobility and the ability to function at work and home.
Here are some common back pain treatments. Ultimately, the most suitable treatment for your condition is what your doctor will recommend based on the cause of your back pain.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options For Back Pain
Non-surgical back pain treatment options include pain medication (NSAIDs and acetaminophen), heat and cold therapy, and physical therapy (including manual manipulation, massage, and exercise). For immediate back pain relief, doctors may also administer steroid or epidural injections into your spine. However, this is a temporary solution for severe back pain. Doctors may also prescribe electrical stimulation therapy as a means to scatter and weaken the pain signals coming from your spine to minimize pain symptoms.
Effective treatment plans for back pain include dietary and lifestyle modifications. Avoid foods that cause inflammation, and you should experience a decrease in pain levels. Habits that lead to inflammation, such as smoking and drinking alcohol excessively, should also be avoided. In addition, keep an active lifestyle. Things as simple as walking and doing physical therapy exercises will get your blood pumping, which has a natural anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
Surgical Treatment Options For Back Pain
If non-surgical treatment methods fail to work, and your condition is getting progressively worse, your doctor may recommend that you undergo spine surgery for back pain caused by a herniated disc or a compression fracture due to an injury.
Depending on your specific condition, the most common surgical interventions for back pain, spinal decompression and spinal fusion, may solve the problem. With spinal decompression, the surgeon will take the pressure off a pinched nerve that is causing the pain by trimming the disc or removing it completely. In spinal fusion surgery, the surgeon connects the vertebrae using artificial parts to hold them in place. This surgical procedure not only decreases pain-causing pressure surrounding the spine, it can also strengthen the spine. However, not all patients with back pain are good candidates for spine surgery. Ask your orthopedic doctor or spine specialist about the best surgical options for your type of back pain.
Surgery For Back Pain Treatment in West Jersey
At Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey, we make a variety of back pain treatment options available to you, including spine surgery. Depending on your condition, we will provide recommendations and explain the risks and benefits of each procedure.
Our compassionate orthopedic surgeons value your trust and comfort. Call the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey at (973) 989-0888 or schedule an appointment now.
