Back pain is a common problem that can affect anyone, from athletes to office workers. It can make even the simplest tasks, like sitting or standing, feel unbearable.
There are several options available for back pain treatment. Let’s explore different back pain treatment options to help you find relief and get back to feeling your best.
Understanding Back Pain
Before discussing how to treat back pain, it’s important to know what kinds of back pain there are and why they happen.
There are two main types: acute and chronic. Acute pain usually goes away in a few days or weeks and happens when you get hurt or lift something heavy. Chronic pain lasts for more than 12 weeks, even after the initial injury or cause has been treated.
Back pain can result from various factors, including:
- Muscle or ligament strain: Straining your muscles or ligaments from lifting heavy objects, making sudden movements, or having bad posture can cause back pain.
- Bulging or ruptured discs: Your discs, which act like cushions between the bones in your spine, can also bulge or rupture. These can press on nerves, causing pain.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back, leading to back pain and stiffness.
- Osteoporosis: This condition makes bones brittle and porous, increasing the risk of fractures, including in the spine.
Understanding the root cause of your back pain can help determine the most effective treatment options.
Top Treatment Options for Back Pain
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an important way to treat back pain. A professional physical therapist will create a special exercise plan to make your back stronger and more flexible. This includes:
- Stretching, which helps loosen up tight muscles.
- Strengthening exercises that target the core and lower back muscles for better spine support.
- Aerobic conditioning, which involves doing activities like walking or swimming to improve overall fitness and reduce back pain.
Medications
For immediate relief, medications can be beneficial. Common options include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can reduce inflammation and pain.
- Muscle relaxants: These can help relieve muscle spasms.
- Topical analgesics: Creams or ointments applied to the skin can provide temporary relief.
Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any medication regimen.
Injections
For serious or long-lasting back pain, you may want to consider injections as a treatment option. There are different types of injections that can help with this type of pain:
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections are a type of treatment that delivers medicine to the nerve roots in your spine to reduce inflammation. This can help relieve pain and improve your ability to move.
Facet Joint Injections
Facet joint injections target the small joints between your vertebrae, providing relief from pain and inflammation and making it easier for you to move comfortably.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural steroid injections can help ease pain caused by irritated nerves in your spine. The medicine is injected into the space around your spinal cord to reduce swelling and make you feel better.
This can be helpful if you have a condition like a bulging disc or narrowing of the spine.
Surgery
Surgery is usually seen as a final option when other back pain treatments have not worked. There are different types of surgery that can help with different causes of back pain, like:
Discectomy
This medical procedure removes a herniated disc that is pushing on a nerve. It can reduce pain and make your body work better.
Laminectomy
In this surgical procedure, a part of the spine called the lamina is taken out to ease pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. This is often done to treat conditions like spinal stenosis.
Spinal Fusion
This back pain treatment combines two or more vertebrae to make the spine stronger and reduce pain from conditions like degenerative disc disease.
It’s essential to talk with your doctor about whether surgery is the best choice for you, based on your condition and overall health.
Back Pain Treatment in New Jersey
If you have back pain from an injury, arthritis, or other spine problems, our team at Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey can help. Our orthopedic specialists are trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating comprehensive spine issues.
We focus on conservative treatments but also have the expertise to perform advanced procedures, if needed, to improve your movement and ease your pain.
For more information or to schedule your appointment, call us today at (973) 989-0888 or use our appointment form. We look forward to serving you!
