Back pain, in general, isn’t all that unusual. In fact, roughly 90 percent of adults have acute or chronic spine-related aches and pains at some point in their lives. Still, this doesn’t mean back pain should be considered normal. Actually, spine-related discomfort that becomes a daily battle should be seen as a sign that some type of medical attention is needed. Here’s a closer look at what you can do when back pain becomes a part of your daily life.
Though it may seem like a figurative pain to take time out of your day to visit your primary care physician, it’s a step that can bring you closer to experiencing less literal pain. You may also be referred to a specialist such as a Santa Monica spine surgeon for further evaluation. This type of doctor is often capable of performing more specialized tests so a customized treatment plan can be recommended.
It’s sometimes the little things that contribute to ongoing or chronic back pain. A good place to start when identifying just what “little things” could be aggravating your spine and its parts is to look at your lifestyle and daily routines. Pay particular attention to your:
• Diet
• Exercise and activity
• Posture habits
There are some instances of back pain that naturally occur with age as discs wear out or other age-related changes occur. These are things you have very little control over. That said, spine-related discomfort isn’t something that will simply go away on its own if it’s chronic in nature. As mentioned above, it’s not something that should be considered “normal.”
One of the more common reasons people put off seeing a doctor or spine specialist is because of concerns about how difficult or time-consuming treatment might be. In reality, many patients end up being surprised at how easy treatment is once they get an accurate diagnosis. Oftentimes, treatment for back pain involves nonsurgical remedies that may include:
• Therapeutic exercises and/or gentle stretches
• A personalized physical therapy plan
• Adjustments to your daily lifestyle
• Medication to ease inflammation and discomfort
• Temporary bracing to allow the affected part of the spine to heal
• Therapeutic injections in the affected area
Surgery is also a possible treatment option for back pain. If this is what has you putting off treatment, know that surgery is often a last resort and usually only recommended if other treatment efforts aren’t effective.
The best thing you can do when back pain becomes a daily battle is to get an accurate diagnosis and seek treatment sooner rather than later. Spine-related issues are like most other health concerns in that early treatment often produces better results. What’s more, the sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you’ll be able to get back to your normal routine.
If you’re experiencing back pain on a daily basis, it’s important to get it checked by the experts at The Spine Institute. Dr. Hyun Bae has years of experience in various forms of nonsurgical treatment as well as the most innovative surgical procedures, including spinal decompression and lumbar disc replacement. Santa Monica patients can rely on Dr. Bae for relief. Call 310-828-7757 today to talk to one of our friendly representatives and schedule an appointment.