Back pain is one of the most common ailments in the United States. The Mayo Clinic reports that it’s one of the most common reasons people call into work for a sick day.
While back pain can be debilitating, rarely do you need surgery to ease your pain. And that coincides with our mission here at the Southeastern Spine Institute — to find the right kind of pain management for you without resorting to surgery.
When to Call
Most of the time, self-care and home remedies can relieve your pain. The most common symptoms you may experience include:
- Difficulty standing up straight
- Aching muscles
- Pain emanating down your leg
- Limited range of motion
When your pain doesn’t decrease after about 72 hours, you need to see a doctor or better yet, a spine specialist like the experts at the Southeastern Spine Institute. Your Charleston spine physician can tell you if more comprehensive spinal medicine treatments are needed and can perform tests to rule out other complications. Call your spine physician if:
- The pain is intense and constant, worsening when you lie down
- You experience numbness or weakness in your legs
- You also have unexplained weight loss
- You have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, drug or alcohol abuse
- You’re over 50 and having this pain for the first time
Many More Options
Just because your go-to remedies — rest, ice, compression and elevation — don’t work, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed for surgery. If your over-the-counter meds aren’t giving you relief, it doesn’t mean you have to go under the knife. The spinal medicine options available are countless, and most are available on the campus of the Southeastern Spine Institute. Non-surgical pain management can include:
- A nerve block
- A pain medication pump
- Injections
- Electrical stimulation
Your spine physician in Charleston has access to a specialized Pain Management department that uses state-of-the-art techniques and equipment. In the same or subsequent visits, you’ll also have access to a wide range of physical medicine and rehab options to help you prevent further back pain.
Ultimate Recovery
Physical therapy is the ultimate path to recovery and back pain prevention. You’ll learn significant exercises and techniques in a safe environment under direct supervision of physical therapists who specialize in back care. When you employ these exercises at home on a regular basis, you will:
- Increase flexibility
- Improve your posture
- Strengthen both your core and back muscles
Practice these exercises daily for best results. Integrate the stretches you’ll learn into your daily regimen, and you may soon learn to live without pain.