Back pain is no stranger to many people, with nearly 80 percent of adults suffering from the condition during their lives. Many people experience acute or short-term back pain that lasts only a few days to a few weeks and even may resolve without the care of a physician. However, back pain that lasts more than 12 weeks is considered chronic back pain.
There are numerous treatments available for chronic back pain, ranging from minimal involvement to more invasive procedures. An experienced physician like Dr. Charla Fischer in New York City can identify the cause of your pain and determine the ideal treatment plan for improvement.
Medications
One of the first common treatment methods addressing chronic back pain is medication. Some common types include:
- Acetaminophen
- Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen
- Muscle relaxants
- Antidepressants
- Opioids for more severe conditions
Physical Therapy
One of the most beneficial treatments for chronic back pain is physical therapy to guide you through specific exercises proven to help certain conditions and symptoms. Dr. Fischer can recommend a qualified spine physical therapist to help create the ideal physical therapy plan for you. It is important to stick with the routine and perform the exercises and stretches as directed to gain the best results.
Injections
Epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks and nerve ablations are each common treatments for chronic back pain. These are especially helpful when the root cause of the back pain cannot be identified. Typically used alongside other treatment methods, injections may decrease back pain for a time period but do not usually provide a long-term solution. Two types of injections that drName may recommend for chronic back pain include epidural injections that target steroid medication directly into the affected area of pain and RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation) that inserts a microelectrode through a needle into the affected area so that a small radiofrequency current can stimulate the painful portion of your back. Another type of injection is a nerve block that sends medication into your body to block pain from certain nerves.
Alternative Treatments
Some patients get results for chronic back pain pursuing alternative treatments like chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, biofeedback, behavioral modification and more. Dr. Fischer may address some of these ideas with you to see if you would like to try any of them for your condition.
Surgery
As a last resort, surgery might be the best solution for relieving your chronic back pain if other less invasive methods are not successful. There are many types of surgical procedures that may be recommended depending upon your condition. Dr. Fischer is experienced in performing spine surgeries and will explain all aspects of potential procedures to help you make an informed decision about how to proceed.