How Can I Find Relief from Chronic Back Pain?

Are you struggling with chronic back pain? This condition can make it difficult or even impossible to carry out the most basic tasks; in fact, back pain is a leading cause of disability! How can you find relief? There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there may be things that can help! This blog post will explore some of the most common causes of chronic back pain and present non-surgical methods that may reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life.

Common Causes of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain can be the result of various factors. Some of the most common causes include:

• Muscle or ligament strain
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Poor posture
• Inactivity and lack of exercise
• Non-specific back pain (back pain without a readily identifiable cause)

Understanding the root cause of your back pain is essential for finding effective relief. A qualified healthcare professional can help you understand why you are hurting and help you formulate a plan for relief.

Non-Surgical Ways to Reduce Chronic Back Pain

There are several non-surgical methods that have the potential to alleviate chronic back pain. Here are a few suggestions:

Home Exercises

Regular exercise can strengthen your back muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. Focus on low-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, and stretching. Incorporate core-strengthening exercises, which can provide additional support to your spine. Be careful to use proper technique and not overdo it — the last thing you want to do is cause yourself more pain!

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist can create a personalized program to address your specific needs. Your treatment plan may include manual therapy, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound treatments. These techniques can help reduce pain, increase mobility, and prevent further injury.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

An anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce inflammation and pain. Focus on consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber. Some examples include fatty fish, leafy greens, berries, nuts, and seeds. In contrast, you should limit your consumption of things like highly processed foods, sugary beverages, and excessive alcohol.

Weight Management

Excess weight puts additional pressure on your spine, leading to increased pain and discomfort. Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Non-Surgical Orthopedic Treatments

A non-surgical orthopedic doctor offers various treatments that may provide significant pain relief:

• Trigger point injections, during which a local anesthetic is injected into sensitive or tender tissues.
• Facet joint injections, wherein a local anesthetic is injected into the facet joints in the spine.
• Epidural steroid injections, which involves the injection of an anti-inflammatory medicine into the space around your spinal nerves.
• Radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to prevent nerves from emitting pain signals.
• Prolotherapy, a special type of injection that uses a minor irritant to kickstart the body’s natural healing process.

After a thorough examination and consultation, your doctor can help you determine which treatment(s) may work best for your unique situation.

Chronic back pain is extremely challenging, but do not give up on finding a solution! With time and a careful approach to treatment, you may find that significant improvements are possible.

Meet the Practice

At the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics of Fort Lauderdale, our team is proud to provide a broad range of minimally invasive treatments that have the potential to help with chronic back pain. If you are looking for relief from ongoing discomfort, we are ready to assess the situation and advise you on your next steps. Get in touch with our friendly staff at 954-563-2707.