Back pain can affect anyone regardless of age, although prevalent among older adults. In most cases, back pain subsides after rest, but it may be a symptom of an underlying disorder if it persists. If your back pain prevents you from enjoying your favorite activities, you should consider visiting your trusted Jersey City back pain specialists for treatment.
Is back pain a sign of an underlying life-threatening disease?
Back pain refers to the stabbing, shooting, or stabbing sensation that occurs on your back or spine and may radiate down your buttocks and legs. Back pain is rarely a symptom of a life-threatening medical condition.
Back pain can also result from poor posture or fatigue, and in such cases, adequate rest and over-the-counter pain relievers often alleviate back pain. Most people believe that back pain is usually due to a problem with the spine which is rarely the case.
However, if your pain persists or worsens over time, you need professional medical help. If your pain is also accompanied by weakness or a tingling sensation in your legs, you may need to inform your doctor.
Is surgery the only treatment for back pain?
Surgery is not the only treatment for back pain; medical experts rarely recommend surgery unless other conventional therapies have failed. The Garden State Pain & Orthopedics professional team begins your treatment with non-invasive treatments before moving to surgical options.
Surgery not only involves serious complications but also requires a lengthy recovery period that may disrupt your daily routine. Some patients may require a second surgery a decade after the first surgery.
What are the available non-invasive treatments for back pain?
The specialists at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics offer a variety of advanced non-invasive treatments that guarantee long-term relief from back pain. One treatment approach may not work for all patients, so the team provides individualized treatment plans.
Your provider may review your medical history and conduct a thorough physical exam to determine the underlying cause of your pain. Some of the available non-surgical treatments include:
- Lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid injection
A lumbar facet block is similar to a lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection, except it blocks pain receptors in multiple nerves.
- Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation is a cutting-edge technique in managing chronic pain if the cause is uncurable or the injury is severe.
- Lumbar facet block
Facet joints join the vertebrae in your spine. A lumbar facet block refers to an injection that alleviates inflammation and pain resulting from a disorder in the facets of your back.
- Intrathecal pain pump
An intrathecal pain pump consists of a small pump that delivers regulated quantities of medication directly into the problematic area. The device is set to deliver medication at specific intervals; you may need several office visits for refilling.
- Lumbar radiofrequency ablation
If your back pain results from spinal joint pain resulting from disc degeneration or arthritis, your provider may recommend radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablation blocks specific nerves from transmitting pain signals to your pain.
Call the Garden State Pain & Orthopedics or schedule an appointment online for more information about non-invasive back pain treatments.