Your Chronic Back Pain Treatment Options
If you have constant back pain, you may be asking, what causes extreme back pain? The answer is that it can be caused by many things, a pinched nerve or muscle, arthritis in the spine, bone spurs, bulging discs, and even cancer. If your doctor has not found anything wrong with your back, they will probably recommend physical therapy to help relieve your symptoms. Chronic back pain can be treated with various physical and psychological therapies. However, many other treatment options have been used to treat this condition. Chronic back pain differential diagnosis is an important part of the evaluation process and can help you determine which treatment option will work best for you.
For instance, emergency back pain treatment may be required if your back hurts so badly that you cannot move or walk. You can also get rid of chronic pain through whiplash treatments. These treatments include acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and more. The best thing about this type of treatment is that they do not require surgery. There are several other different types of pain management techniques available. Some people prefer one over another, depending on their preference. The best treatment, however, will depend on the cause of the pain.
Back pain is one of the most difficult medical conditions to diagnose and treat. It is so hard to treat, because it can take many months, or even years, to find the source of the pain. You may be left feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and ignored. You may feel like you have to take pain treatment and diagnosis into your own hands. When it comes to back pains, it can be beneficial to consult with alternative physicians. You may find additional answers and treatment options.
Primary physician Although it may feel useless at times, you should always began your back pain treatment with your primary physician. They are the person that best knows your medical history and your specific medical conditions. They may provide you recommendations for referrals. They also may provide you with basic testing, such as Xrays, MRI?s, and CT Scans.
Family health center A family health center is often similar to that of your primary physician?s office. However, it differs in that there are usually multiple physicians on staff. For example, your children may see a physician that specializes in pediatric health concerns. The benefits to visiting a family health center for your chronic back pains is that there may be additional physicians on staff that are more familiar with your condition.
Neuropsychologist Although your chronic back pain may feel as if it is coming directly from your back, the brain may be one of the possible chronic back pain causes. The brain controls the amount and the frequency that we feel pain. If the pain receptors get mixed up, you may experience increased levels of pain. Brain neuropathy is just one of the causes. Your neuropsychologist will perform a variety of EEG type tests, with the intent of measuring your brain?s pain receptors.
Spinal surgeon If your chronic back pain is caused by a mechanical problem, it can possibly be correct with a spinal surgeon. Spinal surgeons are specialists in problems with the spine. You may be referred to a spinal surgeon by your family health center, even if it is just for testing. They tend to be more experienced in reading testing results and will look for any mechanical or growth abnormalities.
Mental health center Being referred to a mental health center does not mean that your physician believes the pain is all in your head. Those who experience chronic pain for many years are more prone to mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. More than half of respondents in a survey (51%) felt they had little or no control over their pain. More than three quarters of patients with chronic pain (77%) reported feeling depressed. A psychiatrist can help with these accompanying feelings.
Physical therapist A physical therapist does much more than rehabilitate. They are familiar with the different muscles and tendons of the body. If you experience chronic back pain, it is likely that you have refrained from exercising more a long period of time. This causes the muscles to get weaker, thus causing even more pain and opening you up to more injuries. Chronic back pain exercises, however, can help you reduce some of the symptoms of pain. They can also strengthen the surrounding muscles, allowing them to protect the injured muscles from further injury.
Pain management specialist A pain management specialist differs from your physician in that they focus specifically on managing chronic pain. They are not looking for a treatment, rather attempting to find a plan that allows you to function normally. A pain management specialist is a great resource for finding these alternative pain treatment options.
Back pain is an expensive and troublesome problem in our country. In a survey done by the National Institutes of Health, 27% of Americans said low back pain was their most common type of pain, followed by headaches or migraines (15%). It is expensive and leads to many missed days of work and school. Most chronic back pain sufferers are left with little in terms of treatment. However, with alternative treatment options, you can find a pain management plan that works for you.
