Chronic back pain can affect your emotional well-being, interfering with your quality of life. Constantly enduring pain without knowing whether it will improve can lead to mood swings, depression, anger, and anxiety. Fortunately, Dr. Francisco Del Valle Freehold and his team at Healthcare Pain Centers LLC offer noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments that guarantee long-term relief.
Factors contributing to back pain
Back pain is not usually due to an underlying disorder, but when it interferes with your daily life, you may need medical attention. Back associated with poor posture or carrying heavy things often improves with painkillers and adequate rest. However, if the pain persists for several weeks, it should raise some alarm. In some cases, untreated back pain can result in disability. With your back consisting of numerous tendons, nerves, and spinal bones, your back is susceptible to several forms of back pain.
A herniated disc is the most prevalent cause of back discomfort and pain. Small cracks in the outer shell of your discs due to underlying conditions, repetitive stress, or age can trigger the soft center to protrude outwards. When a muscle in your back tears or strains, you may experience pain and inflammation, especially in your lower back. Lifting heavy objects and sudden twisting can result in muscle strains and tears. Other factors that can lead to back pain include arthritis, spinal stenosis, and sciatic nerve compression. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most prevalent types of arthritis. If you experience persistent back pain that doesn’t respond to painkillers, don’t hesitate to inform your favorite specialist at Healthcare Pain Centers LLC for diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic techniques for back pain
During your initial appointment at the practice, the team may discuss your symptoms, review your health history and perform a thorough physical exam. Your provider may examine your back and evaluate your ability to lift your legs, sit, stand, and walk without difficulty. You may also need to rate your pain on a scale of zero to ten and describe how the discomfort interferes with your daily life. These evaluations help your provider detect the source of your pain. The team may also use X-rays, nerve studies, blood tests, or MRI scans for more accurate results.
Available treatment options for back pain
Most people feel better after a month of home treatment, especially younger adults. The Healthcare Pain Centers team may recommend conservative treatments before advancing to more aggressive treatments. They may prescribe pain relievers like ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, or narcotics to improve your back pain and discomfort. Your provider may also recommend physical therapy to enhance your flexibility, improve posture and strengthen your back and abdominal muscles. These exercises prevent the pain from recurring.
If the conservative treatments prove futile, your doctor may recommend surgical intervention. The Healthcare Pain Centers team offers minimally invasive treatments like radiofrequency ablation, implanted stimulators, and cortisone injections. In severe cases, they may recommend surgery to correct the defect and restore your ability to move without pain or discomfort.
To explore more about back pain treatments, call the Healthcare Pain Centers office or book your spot online today.