Living with Severe Back Pain
Living with persistent back pain is incredibly challenging. Patients with this condition often struggle to walk, run, stand, or sit for prolonged periods, and cannot engage in many social activities. In general, severe back pain is one of the most challenging conditions. Back pain is the leading cause of disability among all workers. It is reported that nearly 20% of individuals in the workforce suffer from persistent back pain that interferes with their ability to comfortably complete their jobs.
BEST Health System is a motivated team of healthcare professionals, passionate about helping patients find lasting relief from relentless back pain and discomfort. Our approach to chronic pain is different from traditional techniques as we follow functional medicine approaches. Functional medicine aims to treat the root cause of chronic pain, whereas traditional approaches aim to solve the symptom, instead of the cause of the symptom.
Knowing When to Seek Help
When it comes to treatment for chronic pain, early diagnosis is always ideal. This allows the doctor to diagnose the condition in the early stages, resulting in simpler treatment options, and can avoid the conversation of surgery overall.
Back discomfort can be tricky because many individuals will experience random back pain throughout their lives, whether it be after a day of work or exercise. However, if this pain persists for a week, and does not get better through simple anti-inflammatory pain medications, patients should promptly visit their doctor. The doctor will likely recommend an X-ray to identify any irregularities. If none are found, an MRI may be necessary.
Considering Functional Medicine Before Surgery
When spine conditions are identified in the early stages, there are nonsurgical treatments that can provide relief. It is important to speak with your doctor about these options, as they are often very useful in helping patients find relief from severe chronic back pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is often the first recommended step for patients experiencing chronic pain. It can help individuals build back and abdominal muscle, increase flexibility and relearn certain movements that were once uncomfortable. Physical therapy is a commonly used therapy that has helped countless patients find relief after years of severe and persistent chronic pain. During physical therapy for the spine, the doctor typically focuses on stability and strengthening exercises, depending on the specific condition.
Injections
Injections for back discomfort have become a widely used and effective method of managing and relieving chronic discomfort. These injections, administered by healthcare professionals such as orthopedic surgeons, target the source of pain directly rather than relying solely on oral medication. The two most common types are epidural steroid injections (ESIs) and facet joint injections. ESIs involve injecting a corticosteroid into the space around the spinal cord to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Back Pain
If conservative therapies are not effective in treating chronic conditions, patients may consider undergoing a minimally invasive procedure. BEST Health System offers surgeries that do not require an open incision. Connect with BEST to learn more about our approach to functional medicine and minimally invasive surgery.
