Talk To A Sports Medicine Doctor When Back Pain Is Lingering
Everyone strains their back at some point. For example, lifting a heavy box might need a few days or a week to recover while the inflammation goes down.
But if the back pain lingers, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. When there is an underlying cause that needs to be treated, then it means that your pain will get progressively worse if you dont visit an orthopedic doctor.
Dont hesitate to schedule an appointment with a back pain doctor when you are experiencing ongoing back pain issues and the pain is limiting your daily activities. Our orthopedic team has the specialized training, experience, and knowledge in treating various types of musculoskeletal pain.
Its impossible for one doctor to treat all types of injuries and conditions that affect the whole human body. So, doctors specialize in distinct subfields within the medical industry.
Orthopedic doctors focus specifically on the musculoskeletal system and treat injuries affecting the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues. Most of the time, back pain happens because of damage or injury to one of these parts of the back.
Common Types Of Chronic Lower Back Pain
When youre ready to schedule an appointment after researching the question, Where is the best lower back doctor near me?, your back pain doctor will outline and explain a variety of reasons for your chronic lower back pain. At Pain Treatment Specialists, our pain management specialists will outline what doctors do for back pain, as well as some common chronic causes of lower back pain including:
While all of these causes may seem quite daunting, correctly identifying, diagnosing, and treating the cause of your chronic lower back pain is why it is critical to finding the best lower back doctor for your concerns.
Seven Common Causes Of Back Pain
1. Spondylolisthesis
This condition causes lower back pain and occurs when one of the vertebrae in the spine slips out of place. The most common cause in adults is abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones.
2. Spondylosis
This is a general term for wear and tear of the cervical spine and is associated with osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. It can also refer to a crack or stress fracture in the backbone.
3. Spinal stenosis
This condition results in the narrowing of the spinal column, often in the neck or lower back. The pressure that it causes on the spinal nerves causes neck and lower back pain. It is most often caused by arthritis in the spine, usually in older adults.
4. Herniated disc
A herniated disc occurs when a disc slips out of position and presses on a spinal nerve, leading to pain and/or numbness and weakness in the neck, back, legs, feet, arms and fingers. Slipped discs occur more often in older adult men, usually after strenuous activity.
5. Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Its most often seen in children and teens, especially girls. Curving generally gets worse during a growth spurt.
6. Degenerative disc disease
A breakdown of soft tissue discs in the spine causes neck or back pain in this condition. It can be due to aging, injury or loss of moisture in the discs.
7. Sciatica
What are treatments for back pain?
Non-surgical treatment
Back surgery
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Family Doctor Or General Practitioner
Most back pain problems are first addressed in the office of an individuals general practitioner or primary care doctor. This is because it is often a pain problem that goes on for a length of time prior to the individual asking for help with it.
The most likely course of treatment if your family doctor is prescribing it will be medication therapy and/or physical therapy regimens. Your general practitioner will likely not be as well appraised of treatments for specific back pain problems as their specialist counterparts, so they might opt to order some tests to confirm their suspicions and then use those findings to refer you to one of the specialists listed below.
What If I Dont Want Surgery For My Back Pain
Fortunately, most people with back pain dont need surgery. We usually take a conservative approach first, using a wide variety of nonsurgical spine treatments, said Dr. Guo. For example, I might send you to physical therapy or chiropractic therapy. I might recommend medications such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, or some nerve-pain medications. We offer injection therapy, including epidural injections, joint injections, and nerve blocks and ablation if your back pain fails to improve with the conservative treatments. Chances are, one of these approaches will help reduce your back pain and improve your function and quality of life.
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Getting To The Root Cause Of Your Back Pain
One of the benefits of working with a sports medicine doctor for back pain is that the doctor will complete a full range of testing and diagnostics to understand why your pain is occurring.
Sports medicine doctors dont simply cover up the pain with medication. While prescriptions can be helpful for pain management in the earliest stages, an orthopedic and sports medicine expert will also look at the treatments that provide long-lasting relief.
There are a variety of reasons why you might be experiencing back pain, and your doctor can help you determine the cause:
- Herniated discs in the spine
- Degenerative disc disease
Which Type Of Doctor Should I Visit For Lower Back Pain
From temporary aches to disabling chronic pain, lower back pain affects millions of people each year. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 80% of people will experience lower back pain at some time in their lives. There are many kinds of back specialists, so if you’re asking yourself, “Which type of doctor should I visit for lower back pain?,” you’ll want to read on.
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What Kind Of Doctor Do I See For Back Pain
Back pain treatment requires a specialized doctor skilled in this joint and spine condition. While a primary care physician or a primary care doctor is able to identify the cause of your back pain, they do not have the tools necessary to treat your back pain condition. What kind of doctor do you see for joint pain? An interventional pain doctor is the best choice for treating lower back pain conditions like sciatica, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis. If youre looking for the best back pain doctor in NYC or the best back pain specialist in NYC, look no further than Pain Treatment Specialists. Our neck, back, and spine doctors utilize a comprehensive approach to chronic pain conditions, and look to improve each patients overall health.
Schedule an appointment at one of our pain clinics in NYC, Long Island, or northern NJ and see how our joint pain specialists treat chronic back pain with minimally invasive methods. Our back doctors implement customized back pain treatment plans that work with each patients specific back pain concerns. Surgery or addictive narcotics are not recommended, and our back specialists extensive backgrounds in pain medicine guide their treatment philosophies. If youre not sure about what kind of doctor to see for joint pain, an interventional pain specialist is the top recommendation for lower back pain.
You’re Having Problems With Your Bowels Or Urination
If your back pain is paired with a loss of control over your bowels or urination, then it’s time to seek help immediately at a local emergency room. These symptoms point to cauda equina syndrome, where the nerves in the lower spine have become paralyzed. While rare, this syndrome can be permanently damaging to the nerves if left untreated. If you experience these symptoms, especially accompanied by numbness in the legs, then you may need surgery to decompress the nerves and preserve their overall function.
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Learn About The Different Back Pain Specialists
When a back problem occurs, it’s typically a good idea to first consult with a primary care physician. This doctor will conduct an initial exam and, depending on the findings, he or she may refer you to a spine specialist.
If you are referred to a specialist for chronic back pain, it will likely be to one of the following:
Physical Therapists & Chiropractors
Physical therapists and chiropractic specialists use a variety of non-surgical, and non-medication based methods to relieve pain. These methods range from spinal manipulation, to rehabilitation exercises, and are among the most conservative ways to treat back pain. Oftentimes, this is where patients with back pain begin their treatment course.
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Family And General Practitioners
With new neck or back pain, start with your regular doctor. That’s usually a family or general practitioner or primary care provider .
They may:
- Give you a few exercises to do
- Possibly send you to a physical therapist
- Possibly refer you to a specialist
But studies suggest GPs can be slow to adopt new back treatments. So research possible treatment options yourself. And ask a lot of questions during your appointment.
Also, you can always request a referral to a specialist.
Emergency Room Healthcare Providers
If you have serious neck or back trauma, you should go to the emergency room. Trauma can include car accidents, falls, or gunshot wounds.
Remember not to move someone with a possible spinal injury. If you’re the one who’s hurt, stay still and tell others not to move you.
Also, go to the ER you have back pain with loss of bowel or bladder control, or your legs get progressively weaker. Those are symptoms of an emergency condition called cauda equina syndrome.
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The Right Surgery For The Right Issue
There are some cases where surgery works best. A neurologist can then refer the patient to a surgeon. Surgery is recommended when all non-surgical treatment attempts have failed. The neurologist can also provide the surgeon with detailed information to complete the right procedure. In most cases, a microdiscectomy or laminectomy helps remove pressure on surrounding nerves. Severe cases of degraded discs or arthritis need fusion surgery. Neurologists are with the patient all the way, even assessing the results post-operation.
Lifestyle Changes To Help Back Pain
Back pain can be debilitating and persistent. Finding relief is important, and the best way to do that is to make some lifestyle changes. These changes can include improving your posture, adjusting your sleeping habits, and regular exercise. Taking a holistic approach to your back pain relief can help ensure that you dont have to live in pain. Lets explore the changes you can make in more detail:
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Types Of Lower Back Pain
The frequency in which lower back pain is experienced will define the type of pain occurring. Lower back pain occurs as either acute or chronic. These two different types of pain may require different treatment methods.
Treatment is shaped by the type of pain felt. But what does it mean? Acute pain implies the pain is experienced for a short amount of time. The pain symptoms may resolve on their own with little medical involvement. Many individuals may find relief from simple home remedies and over the counter medicines.
The pain symptoms can resolve on their own with some rest and care. Chronic pain lasts longer than 12 weeks and can escalate in nature. Chronic lower back pain can progressively limit your mobility in your day-to-day life, greatly impacting your functionality.
This type of chronic pain usually requires seeking assistance from a back pain specialist who can evaluate your symptoms and determine a course of action. Chronic lower back pain may be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition or a manifestation of a larger injury.
A skilled lower back pain specialist will review the duration of your back pain and diagnose the cause of your symptoms. They will verify your pain history, associated pain symptoms, and review your medical history to better ascertain which treatment method would be most beneficial.
When To See A Doctor
If your back pain persists or gets worse even after trying some home remedies, it may be time to consult a healthcare professional. A doctor can assess the condition and help you get the proper diagnosis and treatment for your particular issue.
This article will explore the signs and symptoms that should warrant a trip to the doctor for back pain relief:
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Specialist Help Can Be The Key
Back pain can put a damper on living a healthy life. See a doctor for bouts of lower back pain. A general practitioner can provide initial help. But a neurologist can take things to the next level. With detailed info on nerve and muscle health, the neurologist can put together a plan to slay back pain. And if surgery happens to be the best course of action, rest assured the neurologist will advise on the right procedure.
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Top Doctor For Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
If youre struggling with persistent pain following spinal surgery, you shouldnt have to continue to tolerate your pain symptoms all on your own. A doctor for failed back surgery syndrome can help minimize your pain so you can get back to leading a normal life before your back pain.
At Pain and Spine Specialists, we offer failed back surgery syndrome treatment Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Our team of advanced pain specialists provides comprehensive pain management treatment so each patient can receive tailored treatment plans to effectively treat their unique pain needs.
From medication management to a series of minimally invasive procedures and more, we offer a wide range of safe and effective treatment options for failed back surgery syndrome to help minimize your pain for good.
If you need pain management for failed back surgery syndrome, contact us to learn more about how we can help you better manage your pain symptoms.
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Back Pain, Chronic Pain, Chronic Pain Conditions
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When The Hip Is The Usual Suspect
Surprisingly, hip problemsusually produce groin pain on the affected side. Thats because the actualjoint of the hip is near the spine.
Groin pain is a hip issue until proven otherwise, says back pain specialist Russell DeMicco, DO. Pain above the belt line is not a hip issue.
The most common cause ofhip pain is osteoarthritis of the hip joint. You may have hip arthritis if:
- Pain is in your groin.
- Discomfort comes and goes, becoming more frequent over time.
- Pain worsens with standing, walking and activity, and is relieved by rest.
- You feel stiff.
- You walk with a limp.
Avascular necrosis, or AVN,is a serious condition marked by death of hip bone at the joint. The pain isusually worse and far more constant than in osteoarthritis. People come to mesaying, My hip is killing me, says Dr. Murray.
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When Should You Consider Medical Care For Lower Back Pain
While acute lower back pain often resolves itself, sometimes there are red flags² you need to look out for.
If you have any of these symptoms alongside your back pain, its best to seek medical attention:
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Recent severe trauma, including a car accident or falling from a height
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Excruciating pain around your mid-back, rib cage, or between the shoulders
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Tingling, numbness, or loss of sensation in your legs
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Loss of bowel or bladder control or difficulty urinating
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Abdominal pain, chest pain, fever, or chills
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Pain that does not improve with rest and worsens at night or with exertion
If you dont have any of these symptoms, you may wait a few weeks to see if your back pain resolves with rest. Note, however, that resting too much can exacerbate back pain, so keep up with your daily activities if you can.
Gentle exercise can improve your symptoms, such as walking, yoga, or stretching. Anti-inflammatory painkillers are another option for relieving pain and reducing any swelling. However, if your symptoms dont improve, there are specialists you can see.
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What Is The Treatment For Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Failed back surgery syndrome can be physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially frustrating. Not only have you likely invested adequate time and money into your original back surgery to relieve your pain, but your quality of life continues to suffer from the persistent pain felt from the unsuccessful surgery.
However, tolerating your back pain and modifying your life around your pain symptoms isnt your only choice when it comes to treating failed back surgery syndrome.
There are several failed back surgery syndrome treatment options available to help better manage a patients pain symptoms from medication to physical therapy exercises, minimally invasisve procedures, and more.
While medication management and physical therapy are two primary treatment options, minimally invasisve procedures may also be used to better manage your pain, especially if medications and physical therapy are ineffective.
A combination of treatment options may also be used to effectively treat your pain. For example, taking NSAIDs in conjunction with practicing physical therapy exercises may be recommended by your doctor.
While the success of revision/reoperation surgeries is limited, sometimes revision surgery may be required if there are signs of impairment of bowel or bladder function, motor weakness, etc.
