Back Pain Management

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Anyone who suffers from chronic back pain knows how intrusive it can be. Even mild back pain can impair one’s ability to function. Daily tasks and even walking or sitting can become difficult. More severe back pain can actually cause sufferers to become bedridden. Learning the options of back pain management and choosing the most effective for your particular pain and situation is the first step towards alleviating your back pain.
The first option, and typically the most preferred, is also the least invasive. Patients typically submit themselves to a variety of techniques aimed to alleviate the source of the pain without medication or surgery. In most cases, a patient is referred to several specialists. The first is generally a physical therapist who will work closely with the patient to strengthen the back muscles and correct postural problems. A series of exercises is often prescribed. The patient may also be sent to see a massage therapist or chiropractor. These specialists will work to manipulate the spine to correct pain from tension or a misaligned spinal column. Finally, each of these specialists ...
... will work with the patient on behavior modification, often the most important component of back pain management. Proper lifting techniques, posture and an avoidance of repetitious tasks will be suggested.
Patients who do not see relief from the first method of back pain management typical work with their doctor to develop a regimen of medication to alleviate the pain. A combination of muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory and pain medication may be prescribed. This method does work well in many cases, but many doctors and patients are reluctant to combat back pain with medication alone. The pain medication is typically very strong and addictive so these programs are carefully monitored. Patients should be cautioned to take medication only as prescribed.
The final method is the most invasive method of back pain management. Unfortunately, when all else fails, more invasive intervention is sometimes a necessity. Injections of steroids are often helpful, although painful. More invasive options include implanting stimulators or pain pumps to ease the symptoms. The most invasive, and not always viable option, is surgery.
When selecting a back pain management technique, it is important you consider your lifestyle and what you hope to gain by the technique. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, the first method described above often alleviates the symptoms, but doesn’t entirely remove them. For this reason, many patients and doctors choose a combination of methods. A brief course of medication coupled with physical therapy and behavioral modification often nets the greatest result for mild to moderate back pain.
Those who choose, or find it necessary to engage in more invasive back pain management techniques should be aware that recovery is sometimes a long and slow process. In most cases, physical therapy will still be required, if only to regain strength and flexibility lost during the recovery process.
Back pain management is, in many cases, a personal choice. Be sure to discuss all of your available options with your doctor prior to making a decision on your course of treatment.