What Should You Do About Ongoing Pain From a Back Injury?
November 2, 2021 November 18, 2021 Tabbu Sinha
Around 65 million Americans report having recent back pain, and it’s the 6th most costly condition in the United States.
Back pain isn’t just caused by acute injuries; there are many reasons you can have a bad back. Usually, back pain resolves without treatment when you rest and avoid straining activities.
But, what do you do when it doesn’t? If you’ve had a back injury and are left with chronic pain after you’ve healed, it’s time to look into treatment options.
Read on to learn how to treat pain and fix your back.
If you’ve got ongoing pain, the first step is to see a pain doctor for assessment and diagnosis. Your doctor will do a physical examination and ask you about your symptoms.
Usually, they’re trying to determine the cause of your pain. There are several investigative techniques your doctor may use. These include:
The easiest and fastest way to relieve pain is to use medication. There are several categories of medicine your doctor may recommend:
Over-the-counter medications and topical pain relievers are generally safe for long-term use if need be.
However, be aware that opioid medications, some antidepressants, and muscle relaxants can be addictive and should only be used under close medical supervision.
Next, alongside medications, you should consider a course of physical therapy. Physical therapy will help address the underlying cause of your pain and strengthen your back to reduce the probability of further injury.
Your physical therapist will also be able to advise you about how to move correctly during a pain flare-up to avoid injuring yourself more.
Finally, if your pain doesn’t resolve through the above measures, some surgical options are available.
One option is cortisone injections. This provides temporary (around one month) pain relief because it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory drug. Alternatively, you can look into implanted nerve stimulators; these are devices put under your skin to block pain signals.
If none of these measures work, then you may benefit from back surgery. Surgery can help decompress any trapped nerves and reposition disks that have been dislodged.
However, make sure to try all the other comprehensive options before choosing surgery; there are risks for every surgery and aren’t always 100% effective. This is a great option, but only after you’ve tried more natural methods.
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Don’t Suffer In Silence: Cure Your Back Injury Today
If you’ve got chronic pain after a back injury, this article has told you everything you need to know to be pain-free.
So, don’t delay your treatment; no one should have to live with chronic pain. Get to your doctor to discuss treatment options because you can be pain-free.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, make sure to check out our other posts for more informative health and lifestyle topics!
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