Although back pain is more prevalent in older adults, children and younger adults experience it due to lifestyle habits, injuries, or medical conditions. If left untreated, it can disrupt your daily life. The Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP team offers effective East Brunswick back pain treatments that restore optimal strength and flexibility in your back.
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When to seek treatment for back pain
Back pain is one of the many reasons people miss school or work or seek medical help. Although it is top on the list of disabling disorders, specific measures can prevent and alleviate back pain symptoms in most cases, especially in younger adults less than 60 years. If you are unable to prevent it, simple home remedies and adequate rest can heal your back within a couple of weeks. Doctors only recommend surgery if the conservative treatments fail or if the cause of your back pain is severe. Back pain may manifest as an aching, stabbing, or burning sensation or pain that radiates down your legs, making walking difficult.
Short-term back pain that improves after a while may not need medical intervention, but it may be time to seek medical help if it deteriorates. If you experience pain that disrupts your life, pain that shoots into your leg, stiffness or tingling, weakness and numbness in your legs, inform your most trusted specialist at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP for diagnosis and treatment. The symptoms may signify a medical issue in your spine, which could be disabling if not treated.
Myths associated with back pain
Some people believe that if you always sit up straight, you will never develop back pain. However, sitting still and up too straight can also strain your back muscles. Medical experts recommend standing or taking short breaks after sitting for an extended period. Others believe that lifting heavy things also results in back pain. It is about how much you carry but how you do it. You may lift a light object and still develop back pain because of how you lift it. However, you shouldn’t also pick things that are too heavy for you. Although rest is part of recovery, too much rest can worsen the pain. Medical experts recommend rest with mild exercise to strengthen your back muscles.
Available treatments for back pain
During your appointment at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, your provider may discuss your symptoms, perform an extensive physical, and review your medical history. Your physical exam may involve assessing your range of motion and ability to stand, walk and sit without straining. The team may also use Blood tests, MRI scans, and X-rays to understand your condition better. After diagnosis, they may recommend conservative treatments before advancing to more aggressive treatment options.
Your provider may recommend muscle and back pain relief plasters, pain medications such as muscle relaxants, topical pain relievers, antidepressants, narcotics, and pain relievers. You may also need physical therapy to improve muscle flexibility and strength. If these options are futile, your doctor may recommend minimally invasive treatments like radiofrequency ablation, surgery, cortisone injections, or implanted nerve stimulators.
Call the Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, or book your spot online to learn more about back pain treatments.