If you have really bad back pain that makes it hard to do your daily activities, pain management techniques might be helpful. These methods can help with both short-term and long-term pain caused by problems with your spine.
If you are looking for pain management near you in Rochester Hills, MI, read on! Let’s dive into effective back pain management strategies offered at Ahlgren Spine.
Understanding Back Pain
Back pain can happen for many reasons. It might be due to getting older, an injury, or doing activities that put a lot of stress on your back. Some common causes of back pain include:
- Muscle Strain: When you lift something heavy or twist awkwardly, you can strain your muscles.
- Herniated Discs: Discs act as cushions between the bones in your spine. Sometimes, they can bulge or break, pressing on nerves.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: As people age, the discs in the spine wear out, causing pain.
- Arthritis: This condition causes inflammation in the joints, including those in your spine.
Symptoms of Back Pain
Common symptoms include:
- Muscle Aches: Generalized pain or stiffness in the back muscles.
- Shooting or Stabbing Pain: Sharp sensations that can radiate down the leg.
- Pain That Worsens with Movement: Increased discomfort when bending, lifting, standing, or walking.
What Is Back Pain Management?
Back pain management involves using different methods to reduce pain and improve your ability to move. The goal is to help you feel better so you can get back to your regular activities. There are several treatments that doctors can use to manage back pain.
Types of Back Pain Management Treatments Near You at Ahlgren Spine
At Ahlgren Spine, several pain management procedures are available to diagnose and relieve spine-related pain. Here are some of the most common back pain management procedures:
Epidural Steroid Injections
Our spine doctor can give steroid shots in the space near your spinal cord to help with pain and swelling from a pressed nerve. They can do these shots in your neck, upper back, or lower back. There are three ways they can give the shot:
- Interlaminar: From the back of the spine.
- Transforaminal: From the side where the nerve exits the spine.
- Caudal: Through the bony opening at the tailbone.
Facet Injections
Facet joints are important for keeping your spine stable and letting it move. Facet injections are when a doctor puts numbing medicine and steroids into these joints to help with pain and find out where it’s coming from.
This can be helpful if you have a condition like facet joint syndrome, similar to arthritis.
Medial Branch Nerve Blocks
Medial branch nerves in your back go through little joints called facet joints. If these nerves are causing pain, a doctor can give you a shot called a medial branch nerve block to stop the pain signals and make you feel better.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
RFA is a treatment that uses electricity made by radio waves to warm up a small part of your nerves. This makes the nerve stop sending pain signals. It can help with pain in your neck, upper back, or lower back and may make you feel better for 6 to 12 months or even longer.
Selective Nerve Root Blocks
A selective nerve root block is a medical procedure where a doctor puts numbing medicine and anti-inflammatory medicine around a nerve root in your spine. This can help find out what is causing pain and ease the pain. It can be done in different parts of the spine, such as the neck, middle back, or lower back.
Specific Conditions Treated
These pain management procedures are beneficial for patients suffering from various spinal conditions, including:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet joint arthritis
- Sciatica
Benefits and Recovery
These treatments for managing pain usually don’t require you to stay at the hospital overnight. Also, the recovery time is quick. Depending on the spine condition, they can help reduce pain for a few weeks or even months.
Pain Management Near You
If you’re struggling with neck or back pain, Dr. Bradley D. Ahlgren and his team at Ahlgren Spine can help you find relief. We provide a wide range of treatments, from physical therapy to advanced procedures like epidural steroid injections and radiofrequency ablation.
Our spine doctor has also earned an excellent reputation in performing advanced surgical procedures for back pain management and treatment.
To learn more about back pain management, call us today at (248) 215-8080 or use our appointment request form to schedule a consultation. We look forward to serving you!
