Ask About Prescription Medications
If your back pain hasnt resolved itself within four to six weeks, make an appointment with your doctor, who will examine your back and ask you to sit, stand, bend, walk, and lift your legs to see how your pain is affecting your mobility. Youll likely be asked to rate your pain on a scale of one to 10, and they may do imaging tests, like an X-ray or MRI. Then, he or she may recommend one of the following prescribed therapies:
- Muscle relaxants: Medications like cyclobenzaprine or baclofen can help relieve painful back spasms. If you go this route, just know that side effects can include fatigue and dizziness.
- Topical pain medications: These creams and ointments, like Voltaren gel, are meant to be rubbed directly on to the area thats hurting you.
- Cortisone shots: If other treatment measures fail, your doctor may recommend an injection of cortisone, a potent anti-inflammatory. There are risks, including thinning of nearby bone, and relief typically lasts just a few months, tops.
What Are The Best Natural Ways To Treat Lower Back Pain
Turmeric is a popular natural remedy for lower back pain. The roots anti-inflammatory properties may reduce joint pain and inflammation. Use caution if youre taking prescription medications known to thin blood. They could interact with this supplement. Another natural treatment is applying ice directly to the affected area to reduce swelling.
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What About Oral Steroids
If youâre nervous about getting an epidural steroid injection, you may wonder if you can take oral steroids instead. In some cases, oral steroids can be an option, but theyâre generally not as helpful as injected steroids.
Thereâs some evidence that shows oral steroids can be effective in treating low back pain. One study showed that oral steroids caused a dramatic improvement in patients with lumbar radiating pain however, the authors of that study admit that thereâs not currently a large body of scientific evidence supporting the use of oral corticosteroids for treating lower back pain. In addition, thereâs also evidence in the opposite direction which indicates that while oral steroids can improve function in patients with low back pain, they donât provide a measurable amount of pain relief .
Because they target the entire body and not just one specific nerve or joint, oral steroids may be a better option for patients whose pain arises from inflammatory arthritis as opposed to nerve issues.
Oral steroids also exhibit more severe side effect profiles than local steroid injections. Side effects of oral steroids can include weight gain, irritability and mood swings, insomnia, stomach irritation and bleeding, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, and worsening of diabetes .
Summary
Steroid injections may result in a brief temporary increase in pain, but overall are relatively safe and allow patients to resume normal activities within a day.
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Tips To Use Topical Medication To Relieve Sciatica Pain
Sciatica pain originates in your lower spine and travels down your sciatic nerve into your thigh and leg.
- When you use topical medication, apply the cream/gel or lidocaine patch to your rear pelviswhere your sciatic nerve roots are located.
- Treating this area, rather than your thigh or calf where the pain may be more, will help control and numb the pain at its origin and also calm the nearby nerves.
When you experience pain relief after using topical medication, try to perform simple lower back stretches. Stretches and targeted exercises can help prevent sciatica from recurring, by relieving the sciatic nerve compression, strengthening your tissues, and improving the flexibility in your lower back.
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Get Back Pain Treatment Online
Speak to a board certified doctor, securely from your phone or computer and get back pain treatment online in 15 minutes. There are many home remedies and prescription medications a doctor can recommend to help you recover faster.
We accept these insurance plans and many more. Without insurance, appointments are $119.
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Find The Right Medications For You And Use Them Correctly
Just about everyone gets back pain. In fact, an estimated 80% of people will seek medical attention for back pain at some point in their lives. Most of the time, popping a few over-the-counter pain relievers does the trick. But are drugs the best way to combat regular flare-ups?
“Medication can be a crucial part of managing and treating occasional and recurring pain, and can help you stay pain-free and active, but you have to use the right ones for you, and in the right way,” says Dr. Robert Shmerling, former clinical chief of rheumatology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
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What Else Do I Need To Know
Braces are a relatively low-risk treatment method for several musculoskeletal conditions. They can provide short-term back pain relief, lumbar support, posture improvement, and muscle spasm relief, and can help alleviate lower back pain. Your doctor may offer medical advice such as pairing back brace usage with physical therapy, considering orthosis for other parts of your body, or specific exercises to strengthen your back muscles.
Summary
If you choose to use a back brace, take care to find the best fit, design, and style for your needs. Keep in mind that overuse of your brace can lead to muscle weakness, which could ultimately compound your pain, so be sure to use the brace as directed by your healthcare provider.
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Traction Ultrasound And Tens
If your back pain doesnt respond to conventional treatments, you may need to consider alternative options.
Traction uses a system of weights to align your spine and possibly help slipped discs move back into place.
Ultrasound involves massaging the soft tissues around your back injury with sound waves that warm the muscles, causing them to relax and heal more quickly.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is electronic stimulation of the nerves through electrodes placed on your skin.
The electricity blocks pain signals that travel through the nerve paths.
Ask your doctor about these treatment methods.
What To Try First For Your Back Pain
Cleveland Clinic spine experts support the following ACP recommendations, he says:
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What Are Opioids And How Do They Work To Reduce Pain
Opioids belong to a class of drugs and medications known as analgesics. The medications in this class vary widely, but the one similarity all analgesics share is that they are pain relievers. Opioids are powerful prescription-only analgesics.
Opioids work by essentially decreasing your perception of, and therefore your reaction to, pain. They do this by interacting with specific proteins called opioid receptors. Opioid receptors are located throughout your body, but when opioid medications attach to receptors in your brain and spinal cord, they alter your perception of pain.
Listed below are types of opioids that may be prescribed for back and/or neck pain. The brand name are not inclusive.
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone/acetaminophen
- Oxycodone/acetaminophen
- Oxycodone/naloxone
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- Medicare will cover your visits to a back pain doctor as long as they are considered a medical necessity
- Any additional treatment for pain, such as a chiropractor or physical therapist, must be pre-approved by Medicare if you dont want to pay out of pocket
- Your level of Medicare coverage will dictate your copays and deductible for back pain doctor visits
If you are on Medicare and experience chronic back pain, you may want to know more about back pain doctors that accept Medicare.
There are likely plenty of back pain doctors that accept Medicaid and Medicare in your area. If you are looking for a physician who specializes in helping with back pain, you will be able to find one relatively easily.
You will not encounter much difficulty finding a physician who will care for your back pain. But it may be challenging to ensure that Medicare will cover your doctor visits. You will want to have your visit approved to avoid financing what your health insurance wont cover.
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How Much Does Medicare Cover For Pain Management
If youre wondering how much Medicare will pay for your visits to and treatments by a back pain doctor, the answer depends on your specific Medicare plan.
In terms of coverage, different parts of the Medicare plan cover different aspects of your medical care:
- Medicare Part A covers hospital bills and expenses.
- Medicare Part B covers outpatient procedures and other standard medical expenses.
- Finally, Medicare Part D covers drugs.
So if you need a combination of hospital care, in-office care, and medicine for pain management, all three of these Medicare components will be involved.
How much youre responsible for depends primarily on your level of coverage. Your coverage level will also impact your copays and deductibles for each visit or treatment.
One: Before You Visit A Surgeon See Your Family Doctor
Every patient should visit their primary care physician before seeing an orthopedic spine surgeon. Your family doctor will perform a medical exam to identify the cause of your condition. He or she can prescribe medicines for non-chronic lower back pain . These treatments may include analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, and counter-irritants.
Additionally, your doctor can order chiropractic care or physical therapy as a first-line treatment option. Chiropractors are specialists that use spinal manipulation and mobilization to provide pain relief. Physical therapists use techniques including traction, massage, muscle manipulation, and biofeedback to relieve aches and mobility issues. These therapies may not alleviate your pain. If this happens, your primary care doctor will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon. Contact an experienced orthopedic surgeon who can diagnose your lower back pain..
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How Do I Get My Back Pain Doctor Approved By Medicare
To guarantee you dont have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses, have your visit to a back pain doctor pre-approved. Your primary doctor will need to contact your Medicare plan to confirm that the visit to a back pain specialist is medically necessary.
Next, the back pain doctor will have any treatments or procedures outside of routine in-office visits pre-approved by Medicare. So you will not be able to go to a physical therapist or get acupuncture until Medicare signs off on the treatment.
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Path To Improved Health
The goal of chronic pain treatment is to increase function and quality of life. Different types of medicines help people who have different types of pain. For instance, short-acting medicines treat pain that comes and goes. Long-acting medicines treat constant pain.
The most common medicines are listed below. Each one may have side effects. These can range from mild to severe. Its important to follow your doctors orders on how to use your pain medicine. If you have questions about side effects or about how much medicine to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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Pain Relief For Lower Back Pain
If you have low back pain, your GP may suggest you take an over-the-counter NSAID such as ibuprofen. If this doesnt help, your doctor may prescribe a different NSAID or another type of painkiller that may work better for you. They will prescribe the lowest dose to take for the shortest period of time. NSAIDs can cause stomach problems such as indigestion, which causes pain and discomfort, bloating and nausea. NSAIDs can also cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. So, your doctor may also prescribe another medicine to protect your stomach while youre taking the NSAID.
You could try an NSAID cream or gel and apply it to the affected area. The advantage of using a cream is that its far less likely to cause any stomach problems. But creams and gels only work where you apply them. For example, although an ibuprofen tablet might help pain in both your back and knee, you would need to apply a cream to both places.
If youre not able to take an NSAID, your doctor may prescribe a medicine called an opioid . You might have this with or without paracetamol. Paracetamol isnt thought to help much when used alone for treating lower back pain. But it works well when combined with other medications.
Theres a risk of becoming dependant on codeine, and it can also cause constipation. Your doctor will take this into consideration and explain the risks and side-effects to you.
Ways To Treat Chronic Back Pain Without Surgery
Back pain is considered chronic if it lasts three months or longer. It cancome and go, often bringing temporary relief, followed by frustration.Dealing with chronic back pain can be especially trying if you dont knowthe cause.
Back pain rehabilitationspecialistAndrew Nava, M.D., offers insights into common chronic back pain causes and nonsurgicaltreatment optionsand advises not to give up hope.
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Nonspecific Low Back Pain
This is the most common type of back pain. The majority of cases of sudden-onset low back pain are classed as nonspecific. This is the type of back pain that most people will have at some point in their lives. It is called nonspecific because it is usually not clear what is actually causing the pain. In other words, there is no specific problem or disease that can be identified as the cause of the pain. The severity of the pain can vary from mild to severe. This type of back pain is discussed further below.
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Eight Risk Factors Of Lower Back Pain
There are eight risk factors that can increase a persons chances of developing lower back pain. These factors include:
- Age Most patients experience lower back pain as they age. Osteoporosis can develop, leading to fractures. Additionally, spinal stenosis increases with age due to lost cushioning and reduced muscle elasticity in the vertebrae.
- Fitness Out-of-shape people are more likely to develop back pain. Weak abdominal muscles create lack of support for the spine.
- Pregnancy Pelvic changes caused by increased pregnancy weight gain can cause lower back injuries. This does not always resolve after childbirth.
- Obesity Excess weight can cause back aches and pains.
- Genes Inherited conditions can cause lower back pain. Ankylosing spondylitis, a genetic form of arthritis, can cause lower back pain as spinal joints fuse together.
- Job-related risks Lifting and pushing heavy objects can cause injuries. Sedentary desk jobs can trigger back pain due to poor posture or back support.
- Mental illness Anxiety and depression can alter how a person perceives pain. Chronic pain can also lead to the development of psychological issues that affect the body in several ways.
- Backpack overload Heavy backpacks can strain younger childrens back muscles. Backpacks shouldnt weigh more than 20 percent of the childs body weight.
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When Should I See A Doctor For Back Pain
When your back first starts to hurt, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever and applying ice in the first 48 hours. You may apply heat after 48 hours. You may need to take it easy for a while, but its best to stay as active as tolerated, and to avoid absolute bed rest, said Dr. Guo.
If your back pain lasts more than two weeks and keeps you from participating in normal, daily activities, see your family doctor. If your pain is severe, you should see a doctor sooner. You should seek urgent medical care if you have:
- Fever associated with back pain
- Back pain after trauma
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Loss of strength in your arms and legs
- Unexplained weight loss associated with back pain
Also, always be more cautious if you have special risk factors for cancer, infection, or fractures that may affect the spine.
