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Physiatrists Specialize in Back Pain |
Back Pain Index |
What is Back Pain? Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Chronic back pain is pain that persists for more than 3 months. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine. Currently, researchers are examining the use of different drugs to effectively treat back pain, in particular, chronic pain that has lasted at least 6 months. Other studies are comparing different health care approaches to the management of acute low back pain (standard care versus chiropractic, acupuncture, or massage therapy). These studies are measuring symptom relief, restoration of function, and patient satisfaction. Physiatrists Specialize in Back PainFinding the right treatment for your back pain can be harder then finding the answers to why you have the discomfort. But, this universal problem does have some answers. When you think about it is quite amazing how common back pain is. It requires no particular age range for you to suffer with this difficulty, though if members of your family have experienced back pain you do have a higher chance of having the problem yourself. But even if they don't you will likely be one of the eighty percent of Americans who suffer back pain sometime in your life.Back pain has its roots in one of three places. Almost all of it can be traced to growing old, having had an injury or to a lifestyle that is centered on too much sitting and not enough exercise. Though these three categories may make back pain sound like a simple problem the fact is that it is neither simple nor something to ignore. It causes more missed work hours than any other medical issue and accounts for the highest number of medical claims for a single medical issue. The first line of defense against back pain is usually over the counter pain relievers. Then sufferers turn to the using cold packs, hot water bottles or heating pads, depending on their preferences. If these things don't work people are going to want to see a health care provider to determine what they can do to make the pain go away. Now, people are seeing physiatrists to help them. These professionals deal with the very specific science of physical and rehabilitative medicine. It is the job of a physiatrist to treat those who suffer from irregular or constant back pain, neck problems, tendonitis or pinched nerves. They frequently treat the sports injuries suffered by both professional and amateur athletes. This type of doctor not only treats back pain issues but serious injuries that can leave a person as a paraplegic or quadriplegic. They treat those who have had strokes, as well as those who have multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. These physiatrists have been trained to recognize and treat all sorts of back pain issues. They know how to make a person more flexible and to strengthen the muscles so that a person can avoid back pain issues in the future. They use physiotherapy and other non-invasive practices while avoiding surgical methods of treatment. If you should decide to see a physiatrist they will first want to do a complete physical examination. The taking of a family history, to see if what you are suffering from is hereditary, will follow this. Then they will design a physiotherapy program to suit your needs. This should not be given to someone who has a similar problem, even a family member, as each person's reason for back pain will be unique to him or her. Aside from the exercise program they will likely prescribe some anti-inflammatories to combat the inflammation and the pain. Written by: Scott Parat
Is there any treatment? Most
low back pain can be treated without surgery. Treatment involves using
over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce discomfort and anti-inflammatory
drugs to reduce inflammation. Medications are often used to treat
acute and chronic low back pain. Effective pain relief may involve a
combination of prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies. Although
the use of cold and hot compresses has never been scientifically proven
to quickly resolve low back injury, compresses may help reduce pain and
inflammation and allow greater mobility for some individuals. Bed
rest is recommended for only 1–2 days at most. Individuals
should resume activities as soon as possible. |
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