Most of us experience episodes of back pain at some point in our lives, but often, these spells are temporary and go away without the need for treatment. If you suffer from chronic back pain – pain that persists over a long period of time – it could result from a serious spinal condition and require treatment.
Pain along the spine may be due to tight or sore muscles, but persistent pain more likely results from trauma, such as a fracture in one or more vertebrae or a condition which places pressure on the nerves along the spinal cord. The spinal cord delivers signals to and from the brain to nerves around the body. Common conditions that cause spinal pain include:
- Degenerative disc disease – age related condition that causes the discs between vertebrae to break down, resulting in pain.
- A herniated disc – when the soft cushion of tissue between the vertebrae leaks or pushes out of place. It can result in nerve compression and cause pain, tingling, and weakness.
- Spinal stenosis – narrowing of the spinal canal leading to pressure on the nerves near the spine, resulting in pain.
- Sciatica – pain that radiates from the lower back down one or both legs, caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.
How a Doctor Can Treat Spinal Pain
Treatment can vary depending on the condition affecting the spine and the severity of the spinal pain. The goal is to relieve pain, restore function and mobility, and improve your overall quality of life.
Medication
Over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants, may be recommended to treat spinal pain. Medication may also be used in conjunction with other treatment modalities. Always seek advice from your doctor before taking any medication.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for some patients suffering from chronic spine pain. It can be used to manage and ease spinal pain and improve function and movement as well as offer many other health benefits. Physical therapy can include active therapy such as stretching and strengthening exercises, and passive physical therapy modalities, such as temperature therapy (heat and cold treatment), tissue mobilization, ultrasound, massage, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), to boost circulation.
Pain Management
Pain management doctors use interventional pain management methods to help control and manage chronic pain conditions related to spinal disorders. A pain management doctor aims to find the root cause of pain in order to recommend the most effective treatment. Pain management doctors typically use a combination of treatments to provide relief from chronic pain, such as injection therapy techniques, electrical stimulation, physical therapy, radiofrequency ablation, and other modalities.
Injection Therapy
Injection therapies may be recommended to help relieve spinal pain. These can include nerve blocks, epidural injections, and facet-joint injections. Nerve blocks contain a powerful combination of anesthetics and corticosteroids that are delivered directly to the nerve root to block pain messages to the brain.
Radiofrequency Treatment
Radiofrequency ablation is a therapy that uses an electric current produced by radio waves to heat up a small area of nerve tissue in the neck or back and deactivates the nerves to stop them from transmitting pain signals.
Surgery
Sometimes, surgery may be required to treat the underlying source of pain. The type of procedure needed will depend on the cause of the spinal pain, but if you have a condition or injury and have found that nonsurgical pain relief modalities have not worked successfully, spinal surgery may be an option worth considering. With advances in medical technology, many spinal surgeries can now be carried out in a minimally invasive manner making surgery much safer and requiring less recovery time than traditional surgery. Spine surgical procedures can be carried out to treat many issues, including:
- Taking pressure off of nerves
- Stabilizing the spine
- Realigning a curved or crooked spine
- Repairing damage
Orthopedic Spine Care in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, and Lapeer, MI
If you are suffering with chronic spinal pain, Dr. Bradley D. Ahlgren and his skilled team of specialists can help. We use the latest advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technology to help relieve pain, restore mobility and functionality, and improve your quality of life. To learn more about how we can help you, contact Ahlgren Spine today by calling (248) 215-8080 or you can schedule an appointment online.
