Back Pain Management
Specialists in back pain management are able to provide relief to some sufferers through a variety of treatments, but there is no simple cure, nor is the treatment of any kind of pain an exact science. One reason for this is that aches and pains may have a physiological or a psychological basis, and often a combination of the two. Physiology has to do with the body, such as an injury. Psychology has to do with the mind. This doesn’t mean, however, that pain isn’t real or “only in one’s head.” The body may actually hurt, but the cause is due to stress or anxiety. An actual physical injury can lead to depression which increases the body’s sensations of aches and pains. The fear of hurting can intensify painful sensations because the body tenses either in expectation of a physiological injury or in response to one. For example, all parents know that a distracted child won’t feel as much pain from a vaccination as a child who sees the needle coming and tenses her arm. Similarly, conscientious technicians encourage patients to breathe slowly and deliberately when blood is being drawn. This technique can be especially helpful to people who have a tendency to faint during this procedure. In the same way, successful back pain management must deal with the entire individual. This means treating any physiological injuries, but also providing techniques to ease the psychological symptoms.The majority of people in the United States has experienced or will experience back pain at some point in their lives. When the ache is short term, it is called acute. But a pain that lasts for three months or more is considered chronic. The ache may be due to a specific injury. For example, using improper lifting techniques to move heavy objects can cause a strain. People are advised to keep their backs straight and use their knees to lift heavy objects, with a partner when necessary. Other pains occur over time, perhaps because of poor posture or simply the wear and tear due to aging. Experts in back pain management encourage the use of ergonomic equipment, such as properly fitted desk chairs and keyboards with wrist pads for office workers to help ease aches and pains from repetitive motions. Ergonomics is an interesting science that also encompasses lighting, the proper heights of desks and chairs, the proper distance to sit from a monitor, and other such topics. These improvements can be very beneficial to people who spend a great deal of time in front of a computer. The type of mattress a person sleeps on may also affect the spine and muscles.
Exercise is often seen as a preventative for many ailments and with good reason. Regular exercise helps to boost the immune system, increases mental acuity, helps with weight loss, and has other positive physical and emotional benefits. It’s not a surprise, then, that back pain management often includes an exercise regimen to help strengthen the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Those people who are overweight are often prone to injuries and pains. Losing that extra weight often helps an individual feel stronger and healthier. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We glorify God by taking proper care of our bodies through exercise and nutrition. When injuries occur, it’s important to seek professional help, such as back pain management specialists for back injuries.
Of course, for some acute injuries the most effective treatment may be to rest and allow the muscles to heal. Using cold and heat packs can often help. Massage therapy also can be relaxing and healing. But a diagnosis of chronic pain may require more aggressive types of treatments. An individual may wish to see a chiropractor to learn more about how the health of the spine affects the rest of the body. Chiropractic manipulations and adjustments of the spine help many people to feel better. This can be part of a larger back pain management program. Untreated pains can have an adverse affect on a person’s health and emotional well-being. Chronic pain affects the immune system which often means that the individual feels weaker, run-down, and is more susceptible to viruses and colds. Additionally, chronic aches hinder the rehabilitation process.
This is another reason why specialists in back pain management are concerned with more than just the physiological causes. They also care about the patient’s psychological well-being. Patients may be encouraged to learn proper relaxation techniques that help them learn to relax certain muscle groups. Certain medications, such as muscle relaxants, aspirin, or ibuprofen may help to alleviate soreness and tension. An antidepressant may be prescribed for someone who is suffering from neuropathic, or nerve, pain. More invasive techniques include injections of medications and even the surgical implantation of electrotherapy devices. Before consenting to the latter, or any type of surgical procedure as part of a treatment program, patients should seek a second opinion from a back pain management professional. An occasional aching back may be just a part of life for many people. Good posture, attention to ergonomics, and exercise can help keep acute injuries to a minimum and perhaps keep chronic aches from ever occurring. But no one needs to suffer from such injuries when they occur. Proper management of back pains will help the patient get back on the road to recovery.