Changing the Way you Take Care of Back Pain
The world-wide pandemic has created a lot of changes to the way we carry out our daily lives. More companies are offering remote work, many leave their homes less, internal stressors have increased, and finding ways to stay active may have become more difficult. With an increased acceleration to this sedentary and isolated lifestyle, more people are experiencing chronic back and leg pain as a result.
In addition, care for pain and mental health has seen both delays and halts as healthcare facilities receive an influx of patients with new issues heightened by both the pandemic and new lifestyle. In a study conducted by Medtronics, 90% of chronic back pain sufferers during the pandemic said that they wish there were more treatment options available to manage their pain. Most reported knowing their options as limited to Physical Therapy and Oral Medications.
In an ever-changing world that is being plagued with new conditions, stressors, and associated pain conditions, it is extremely important to know that there are a plethora of options available to treat chronic pain conditions – including chronic back pain and overall spinal health.
Modern Back Pain Treatments:
- Spinal Injections
- Nerve Blocks
- Radiofrequency Ablations
- Muscle and Tendon Injections
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Regenerative Therapies – Stem Cell, PRP, Prolotherapy
- Medical Acupuncture
- Spinal Stenosis Procedures – MILD and Vertiflex
These treatment options are not as commonly found in many of the local hospital systems, so many patients are unaware that they exist and may not be finding the treatment relief they need.
Recent studies on the above procedures have shown promising data in chronic back pain reduction/elimination overall – without the use of oral medications. While sometimes a multi-method approach is necessary, it is important for back pain sufferers to know that their options are not limited to only the traditional treatments.
Each of the above therapies are used for various conditions and causes of back pain or associated conditions. Being evaluated and discussing your symptoms in-depth with a provider will help determine the source of the chronic issue, and will help lead to a more direct and effective treatment plan.
The takeaways? Understanding that the pandemic has created a more sedentary lifestyle with heightened stressors, and being mindful of the amount of activity we engage our bodies in can help prevent chronic issues from occurring/worsening, but can also help us be aware of the signs early on. Getting evaluated by a facility that specializes in pain diagnostics and management with modern treatment options is the best way to get to the bottom of the issue and prevent future damage.
If you are experiencing chronic back pain, and it is keeping you from the activities you love, visit the page here to learn more about back pain conditions and management.
To learn more, or request a consultation to be evaluated & learn about your options, visit https://www.pennpain.com or call (215) 395-8888.
*Study statistics provided by Medtronic; https://news.medtronic.com/2022-03-23-Medtronic-survey-finds-pandemic-creating-far-reaching-and-negative-impacts-on-those-with-chronic-back-or-leg-pain
