Causes Of Back Pain
Back pain can stem from various factors, including:
Muscle Strain
Overstretching or tearing of muscles or ligaments in the back, often resulting from improper lifting of heavy objects, sudden movements, or prolonged maintenance of poor postures.
Nerve Injury
While often difficult to diagnose through conventional means, nerve injury remains a prevalent contributor to back pain.
Injuries
Traumatic events such as falls, accidents, or sports-related injuries can lead to back pain.
Poor Posture
Extended periods of sitting, standing, or repetitive motions performed with improper posture can strain muscles, leading to backaches.
Aging
Degenerative changes in the spine, such as disc degeneration and decreased bone density associated with aging, may contribute to back issues such as sciatica.
Symptoms of Back Pain
The symptoms of back pain can vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Common symptoms include:
Lack Of Flexibility
It becomes difficult to move or bend the spine particularly after long periods of inactivity. Walking or standing too becomes difficult. Back feels stiff.
Muscle Cramps
As a result of involuntary contractions of the muscles at the back, pain arises leading to limited movement.
Radiating Pain/ Sciatica
Sciatica or slipped disc pain often affects the back, leg and hip. One might experience tingling, weakness or numbness as symptoms caused by injury to the ‘sciatic nerve’ which leads to back pain. In case of radiating pain, it usually starts from your back and goes down through your buttocks, thighs, legs, and then feet.
Pain Management Interventions
Treating back pain is increasingly less invasive with many minimally invasive procedures now offered. If exercises and medications prove ineffective, your doctor may recommend a spinal injection based on your reports. Dr. Anushka, a leading back pain management specialist, is proficient in these procedures, which are brief, safe, and typically don’t require hospitalization. Pain relief often begins within a week.
1. Injections
Injections can provide temporary relief from inflammation and pain, particularly for conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, or spinal stenosis. These injections are administered directly into the affected area to target the source of pain and discomfort.
Transforaminal Block
Medicines are injected in the epidural space, which is a fat filled area between the bones and spinal nerves. As the drug spreads, your pain reduces so that you may resumes normal activities .
Facet Block
When back pain originates from the facet joints, located on each side of the vertebra, a facet joint injection is performed to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
2. Radiofrequency Ablations
Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure used to reduce back pain. As a back pain treatment specialist, I utilize this technique to apply an electrical current that burns a small part of the nerve tissue, decreasing the pain signals sent from that area. It is used to help patients with chronic back pain. It is safe, effective and well tolerated.
Treatment for Back Pain
Back pain management has evolved significantly with advancements in technology, offering less invasive, expedited, and more convenient back pain treatment options. Here are some common approaches:
Rest
Short-term rest aids acute back pain healing, but prolonged bed rest is discouraged due to muscle stiffness and weakness.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy involves exercises to strengthen spine-supporting muscles, enhance flexibility, and correct posture, effectively managing back pain and reducing future risks.
Medications
OTC pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatories can help with back pain, but prescription medication may be needed for persistent or worsening conditions.
Lifestyle Modifications
Healthy weight, good posture, avoiding prolonged sitting/standing, and proper lifting techniques are vital for managing back pain and preventing future issues.
Do's and Don'ts for Back Pain
Here are some recommendations to incorporate into your daily routine to mitigate the risk of developing back pain:
Maintain Regular Physical Activity:
Engaging in low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga on a regular basis can help strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and enhance flexibility.
Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight:
Excess body weight can strain back muscles and the vertebral column. Therefore, adopting healthy eating habits and engaging in regular exercise to achieve a healthy weight is crucial.
Prioritize Adequate Sleep:
Utilize a supportive mattress and pillow to maintain proper spinal alignment while sleeping. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can alleviate pressure on the back.
Avoid Smoking:
Smoking impedes blood flow to the spine, hindering the healing process and potentially exacerbating pain in the lower back region.
Limit Prolonged Sitting:
Extended periods of sitting, especially in positions that strain the back, should be avoided. Take frequent breaks to stand up, engage in stretching exercises, or go for short walks.
Do Not Disregard Pain Signals:
Be attentive to your body’s signals and refrain from activities that may aggravate your condition or induce further pain in the back region. Ignoring pain signals could lead to additional injury or worsening symptoms.
Dr. Anushka Patel - Back Pain Treatment Specialists
There are several benefits to consulting with a pain management specialist. It is typical to concentrate on the affected area when a patient is in pain. Still, it’s also critical to understand the patient’s medical history, way of life, and eating and sleeping habits, in addition to the symptoms and underlying causes. Because of her training and experience, Dr. Anushka can determine the underlying source of the problem. With a correct diagnosis, she has a good prognosis for you to look forward to. Dr. Anushka is a highly sought-after pain management specialist because she places a high importance on the care provided during and after surgery or therapy.
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