If you’re suffering from back pain, you’re not alone. However, many treatments can help reduce the symptoms. For example, spine and spinal cord infections are common causes of back pain, but medications like Opioids don’t treat the underlying cause of the pain. On the other hand, Neurosurgeons specialize in treating the nerve roots and spine. This type of treatment addresses the cause of the pain rather than treating the symptoms.
Exercise reduces back pain.
Most people believe exercise helps reduce back pain by strengthening muscles. The truth is that many activities require sitting for most of us, and a lack of exercise will exacerbate the symptoms and make it more challenging to maintain good posture. But many different activities can help you maintain good back health. These exercises include swimming, yoga, and low-impact movements like jogging or walking. For the most effective results, try to exercise for at least 20 minutes a day, four or five days a week.
Pilates is an excellent choice for anyone with back pain. Not only does Pilates work on the muscles that support the spine, but the exercises also help you develop coordination and control. For example, back pain treatment orange park fl showed that adding instability to exercises relieved lower back pain. It wasn’t muscular strength responsible for reducing pain but the fine control of the muscles. This means that Pilates exercises can prevent future injuries and reduce pain.
Infections of the spine
Infections of the spine affect the intervertebral discs, the bones of the spine, and soft tissues around the spine. These infections can lead to spinal instability and neurological damage, including paraplegia, and even death if left untreated. There are several types of spinal infections, including vertebral osteomyelitis and discitis. In addition, infections of the spinal canal can result in severe back pain and may also be caused by meningitis, an inflammation of delicate membranes surrounding the spine. Meningitis is often life-threatening.
Diagnosis of spinal infections usually requires a combination of laboratory tests and imaging studies. X-rays effectively diagnose infections in the early stages, but they do not show soft tissues. An x-ray may reveal bone deterioration and reduced disc height, represented by a smaller space between the vertebrae. The spinal infection may require surgery to remove the affected tissue in severe cases.
Opioids don’t treat the underlying cause.
The primary care clinician prescribes opioids to treat chronic pain or pain that lasts longer than routine tissue healing. These clinicians give approximately 50% of all opioid prescriptions. These clinicians include physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, who practice within a team-based care model that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated pain management. In addition to their expertise in pain treatment, they are also trained in evidence-based care.
While opioids are commonly prescribed to relieve a patient’s pain, they are not recommended as a first-line or routine treatment for chronic pain. While they may reduce pain and improve functioning, they do not treat the underlying cause of back pain. As a result, opioids should be considered only when nonpharmacologic treatments have failed to relieve pain. And if they do, it’s best to combine them with nonpharmacologic therapies.
Neurosurgeons treat the nerve roots.
In lumbar laminectomy surgery, a neurosurgeon removes part of the bony shingle that forms the roof of the spinal canal. The procedure is typically performed through a midline incision in the lower back. Next, a ligament called an interspinous distractor is placed between the back of the spine’s midline and the nerve root. The laminae are essential because they help protect the nerve roots and provide a structure for the spinal cord.
When back pain is a symptom of a more severe condition, the spine may need to be operated on. A neurosurgeon specializes in treating spinal cord disease and injury and back pain associated with disc degeneration. Neurosurgeons can perform various treatments, including a spinal fusion or a selective nerve root injection.
Over-the-counter pain medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed for back pain. These drugs are effective for treating both acute and chronic pain conditions. Acetaminophen is another common over-the-counter pain reliever. However, it can have adverse side effects, including liver damage, if taken in large amounts. Most opioid medications also contain acetaminophen.
Taking over-the-counter pain medication is not the only solution to back pain. Most cases of back pain can resolve within a few weeks on their own. Other options for back pain treatment include physical therapy, decompression surgery, and epidural steroid injections. In addition to over-the-counter medications, your doctor may recommend a prescription or both.
Heat and ice therapy
When you suffer from recurring back pain, you may be considering using heat and ice therapy to relieve your discomfort. While heat and ice can be effective for many types of back pain, you should be careful not to apply them to bleeding or inflamed tissues. If your pain is not temporary or you’ve recently injured your back, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Heat can cause skin irritation and make your pain worse.
The best way to use these treatments is, to begin with, cold therapy. This will help reduce swelling and pain caused by strained or damaged muscles. The cold will also reduce inflammation. On the other hand, heat will help relax the muscles and joints so that they can heal. Heat and ice therapy are best used in moderation, and your doctor may recommend a combination of the two. In some cases, you may want to try alternating hot and cold therapy until your pain is significantly reduced.
