The list of treatment for back pain is ever increasing. Its vast expanse can often make a patient feel like being caught in a maze. There are both non surgical and surgical treatments that are accessible. It is important to find the one that best suits your condition.
Non-Surgical Methods
Non-surgical options include chiropractic care, epidural steroid injections, medications, physical therapies, exercises, therapies such as physical therapy, massage therapy, and so on.
An epidural steroid injection is used to treat spinal disorders like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis. This technique uses a combination of local anesthesia and a steroid. It helps reduce inflammation and /or swelling of the nerves in the epidural space.
Chiropractic care is the most widely used in alternative medicine. It is often used as a complementary form to primary medical intervention. Most practitioners frequently use spinal manipulation as a part of chiropractic care. In cases where other forms of treatments for back pain have been unsuccessful, a procedure called spinal manipulation under anesthesia may help.
Physical therapy is a non surgical treatment method that includes therapeutic exercise and functional training. There are also other techniques that physical therapists use such as electrotherapy, ultrasound, hot packs, and ice. These may be used in individually or in combination with other treatments. While choosing a therapist, look for someone who holds a license from the respective state. Also make sure that they are a part of your insurer’s network.
A Few Surgery Options
Sometimes surgical procedures are the best or only option. Let’s look at some of the surgical treatments of back pain available. Minimally invasive discectomy is a procedure in which an endoscope is inserted through a small incision and the offending disc fragment is removed under video monitoring. The term ‘discectomy’ refers to the removal of a portion of the intervertebral disc. Usually the patient can be discharged the next morning as the post-operative discomfort is relatively less. Minimally invasive laminotomy/discectomy is done when one of the interevetebral discs rupture in the lumbar spine, causing pressure on the nerve roots. Surgery is done through a tiny incision and a portion of disc is removed if necessary.
Other surgical treatment for back pain includes laminectomy, spinal fusion surgery and the like. In cases of severe back pain due to conditions like a herniated disc, for example, laser discectomy may prove successful. There are also specific treatments for lower back pain. Feel free to ask questions, do a thorough analysis of each procedure and take the right decision with the help of a professional. Be open to any procedures for back pain cure, however, don’t make up your mind before you evaluate the appropriateness of the same.