Many patients at our Anderson spine center complain of chronic back pain. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common conditions among adults. From poor sitting position at the desk to repetitive lifting movements or an accident, there is no end to the causes of lower back pain.
Our doctors’ mission is to help every patient enjoy life, free from pain and discomfort. To reach this goal, we use one or a combination of the following types of treatment for chronic back pain:
Medication Management
When it comes to using painkillers, it is very important to have them prescribed by a doctor. Over-the-counter pain medication will stop working after a period of time and you may tend to take larger and larger doses. Prescription medication, especially opioids, carries the risk of developing addiction.
Our doctors will perform a complete check-up and look at your medical history before prescribing pain medication. Also, we will change the type of medication and adapt the doses to offer you the best results, without risking an overdose or developing resistance to the drug.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic is an effective and non-invasive treatment option for chronic back pain. It is often recommended by doctors in addition to pain medication or instead of painkillers. The latter situation is applicable to patients who cannot take pain medication for various reasons:
- Allergy
- Contraindications due to other health conditions
- Not recommended for use together with other medication they take
Chiropractic care is helpful for chronic back pain because it alleviates the core issue in most situations:
- Pinched nerve
- Inflammation
- Bulging disc
- Misaligned vertebrae
Radiofrequency Ablation
Also known as rhizotomy, this minimally invasive procedure consists of applying radiofrequency waves to the nerves that cause back pain. This treatment will disable the nerves, so that they stop sending pain signals to the brain.
Here is what you can expect during the procedure:
- The doctor will numb a small area of skin with an anesthetic
- Using X-ray guidance, the doctor will insert a special radiofrequency needle through the numbed area
- Once the needle is all the way in, the doctor will send a very small amount of electrical current to check that it reached the target nerves
- The electric current will only generate brief pain or a mild muscle twitch
- You will receive more local anesthetic during the radiofrequency ablation.
The entire procedure may take one or two hours. Its effects will last between 3 and 12 months, as the nerves will eventually regenerate.
Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks are injections with a specially formulated mix of steroids. These steroids will prevent the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. It is a simpler procedure compared to radiofrequency ablation. However, its benefits also last for a shorter period of time – between several weeks and several months.
Kyphoplasty
In some cases, chronic back pain is caused by a degenerative condition or a fracture of the vertebrae. In this situation, our doctors will perform a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting special cement into the affected area.
This will repair the damage and strengthen the spine, thus removing the main cause of your back pain.
Spinal Cord Stimulator
Some people suffer from intense chronic pain in the lower back, whose cause cannot be effectively treated. In this situation, we will recommend a permanent solution for stopping the pain signals.
This procedure is more invasive than others, as it involves implanting a device that will continually stop the nerves from sending pain signals. For many people, this is the only solution for living a pain-free life. The procedure has very few contraindications and is performed under local anesthesia.
Talk to Our Doctors at the Anderson Spine Center about Your Back Problems!
Back pain is not something you can ignore or get used to. It disrupts your life, reduces your mobility, and prevents you from living life to the full. Our doctors know how to manage chronic back pain, looking for the safest and most effective treatment option for each patient.
We encourage you to schedule an appointment at our Anderson spine center and let one of our doctors evaluate your condition. Call us today at 864-532-4664!
