Just the mention of back pain probably makes you cringe. Whether it’s chronic or acute, back pain can make you miss work and everyday activities you enjoy. Conservative treatments sometimes work to relieve your pain, but what if you’re one of those who deal with chronic pain that’s relentless even with treatment?
At Alliance Orthopedics, our team’s main goal is to get your life back to normal with as little pain and discomfort as possible. Our amazing team consists of doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists who combine their training to give you the best outcome possible. We also have interventional pain doctors to fully round out your treatment plan. Our orthopedic spine treatments are designed to treat even the trickiest forms of back pain.
Causes of chronic back pain
Back pain is a very common condition that can affect you at any point in your life. Medical conditions and injuries are common causes. Your back pain may come on suddenly or creep up on you over time. It can be debilitating, causing you to miss out on work and daily activities. Although it’s frustrating to deal with, back pain is rarely caused by a life-threatening condition.
Your pain may be due to an injury to the tissues surrounding your spine, such as your muscles or ligaments. Other common causes of back pain include:
- Sciatica
- Degenerative disc disease
- Arthritis
- Herniated or bulging disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Pinched nerves
Fractures, such as stress fractures, also cause pain and discomfort in your back. Knowing when to see a doctor can save you a lot of time and pain.
When to see your doctor
Back pain usually resolves itself if you take the time to rest and relax. Over-the-counter medications along with heat, ice, and stretching may relieve even the most severe back pain after a few days. However, there are times you should make sure to see our doctors sooner rather than later. Reasons you would need to see a doctor include:
- Pain persists with rest
- Continues longer than a week
- Spreads down one or both legs
- Causes weakness or numbness
- Causes bowel or bladder issues
- You have a fever
- Pain follows an injury
Back pain is rarely the sign of a severe medical condition, but if you’re in doubt, make an appointment with one of our providers as soon as possible.
How our spine treatments can help
At Alliance Orthopedics, our staff are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of many spinal disorders that may be causing you to miss out on life. Some of the treatments that we offer include:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Injections
- Minimally invasive surgery
We also offer chiropractic care for your back pain. This form of treatment uses manual spinal manipulation by our chiropractors, along with therapeutic exercises to manage chronic back conditions. This is sometimes used along with physical therapy to provide a solid foundation for healing and pain management.
Our team may recommend injections if more conservative measures don’t fully relieve your pain. These injections are usually done under X-ray guidance and usually involve a steroid medication to decrease inflammation.
If your pain is severe and our other therapies haven’t been effective, we may recommend spinal surgery. This is usually a last resort, but can have very positive outcomes if you fall into the category of conditions treated with this procedure.
Book your appointment now
Our skilled and knowledgeable team of doctors devise a treatment plan based on a physical exam and imaging. It’s also beneficial to know about any and all treatments you’ve tried, even if the unsuccessful ones, to give our team the best picture of what your back pain is like.
The year is nearly over, so now is the time to book your appointment. Chances are you’ve met your deductible, which will start again in January.
Stop dealing with back pain on your own. To schedule an appointment with one of our providers, call one of our four convenient locations in New Jersey, or book a telehealth visit or regular visit online today.