Back pain can negatively affect how one takes part in their daily chores and might result in absenteeism at work. It might lower production because one cannot concentrate due to pain. That’s why if you have any injuries to your back, you are required to consult your physician on various ways you can use to alleviate pain to help you remain productive and help you participate in your daily activities usually. Therefore, West Orange Pain Center of NJ treats chronic spinal and back pain without needing surgery. Let’s learn more about back pain.
What is back pain?
Typically, back pain refers to discomfort you experience at any part of your spine or the surrounding muscles or tissues. Mainly, it varies from being a dull, low-intensity throbbing pain to several sharp or stabbing sensations across the spine, making it difficult to move. Generally, there are three types of back pain: subacute back pain, which lasts for one to three minutes; acute back pain, which lasts for several days to weeks; and chronic back pain which persists for more than three months. Back pain is a common medical condition that affects approximately four out of five people. They also don’t take this pain seriously until it becomes severe and hard to live with. Hence, you are recommended to consult your physician to prevent losing much energy and time to this disease.
What conditions might give you back pain?
Some conditions that might cause back pain are as follows:
- Sciatica
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Sprains
- Degenerative joint disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Radiculopathy or nerve compression
- Spinal stenosis
- Scoliosis and other skeletal abnormalities
In most cases, back pain is usually a result of mechanical concerns in your body where parts of your spine get pushed out of place or damaged. For instance, sciatica is a common cause of sharp pain down one leg resulting from compression of the sciatic nerve in the lumbar radiculopathy or lower back. The nerve compression that leads to sciatica is likely to come from a herniated or bulging disc, making the core of the disc push against the nerve.
What treatments are available for back pain?
Most specialists usually find non-invasive physical therapies the best treatment option for alleviating pain and improving function. Regular physical therapy sessions and exercises can make a great difference in most patients suffering from back pain, irrespective of its cause. Similarly, medications can help manage back pain, allowing you to take part in physical therapy. But cannot cure your back pain because it does not treat the cause of your condition but only provides symptomatic relief.
If your pain comes from the fascia, a connective tissue that links and covers your muscles or your muscles, the doctor may treat it with trigger point injections. They are injections that contain steroid medication and local anesthesia to reduce pain and inflammation in knotted and tight tissues. Similarly, other injections of anesthetic and steroids might also be effective for persistent spinal pain. Some of the injections recommended are epidural steroid injections, transforaminal injections, nerve blocks, and facet joint injections.
Back pain can affect your quality of life and well-being because it prevents you from taking part in several activities that are essential in normal living. Therefore, if you are experiencing back pain and want relief, call or visit the Pain Center of NJ today. Get started by booking your appointment online.