Back Pain Treatment

Back Pain Treatment in The Woodlands & Houston

The Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers are proud to provide comprehensive chronic back pain treatment in The Woodlands and around Houston, TX. Our back pain doctor is aware of how back pain can adversely affect everyday activities such as getting dressed or reaching for a cup on the shelf. Another inconvenient aspect of back pain is its propensity to flare up without warning at any time of the day or night. 

We have locations in The Woodlands, Houston, and Midtown to treat patients with all types of back ailments, from constant, dull discomfort to intense, chronic pain. Though pain relief medication can offer brief respites that allow the resumption of normal activities, complete recovery is a more thorough process. Our highly-skilled back pain specialist can diagnose the causes of lumbago, back spasms, and dorsalgia, among other conditions. Contact us today to learn more.

Back Pain’s Signs and Symptoms

Back pain can have a significant impact on daily life, both physically and emotionally. Depending on the severity and location of the pain, it can make it difficult to perform even simple tasks like getting dressed, walking, or sitting for extended periods of time.

In addition to physical limitations, chronic back pain can also affect a person's emotional well-being. It can cause anxiety, depression, and even social isolation if the pain is severe enough to prevent them from participating in activities they enjoy.

Back pain can also have economic consequences, such as missed work days and the cost of medical treatment. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience persistent back pain, as early intervention and treatment can often prevent the pain from worsening and improve the overall quality of life.

The effects of back pain can vary significantly from patient to patient and even from day to day for some individuals. Among the signs and symptoms of back pain are:

• Burning, prickling, or tingling sensations
• Shooting pains
• Dull, continuous aches
• Throbbing
• Weakness and shaking
• Severe leg pain
• Inability to bend or lift
• Discomfort after sitting for long periods
• Lower abdominal pain
• Side pain

Identifying the Causes of Back Pain

Back pain comes in many different varieties. Some forms may be short-lived, lasting six weeks or less. However, chronic back pain lasts for months or years. While many causes of back pain are difficult to identify with a test or study, there are several conditions to which back pain doctors at The Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers can link back pain, including:

• Back muscle or ligament strains – Regular heavy lifting and sudden movements can sprain ligaments and muscles in one’s back and spine, sometimes resulting in painful back spasms.
• Bulging or ruptured discs – Serving as cushions between vertebrae, discs help stabilize and support the spine. But if the soft material inside the disc bulges or ruptures, it can press on a nerve, causing back pain.
• Skeletal irregularities – Spinal curvature conditions such as scoliosis can cause side pain and lower abdominal pain associated with the back.

Recognizing Different Types of Back Pain

With such an array of back pain symptoms, it can seem overwhelming to pinpoint the type of condition from which an individual is suffering. The professionals at The Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers are trained to diagnose specific back issues among our patients. Common types of back pain include:

• Lumbago – Otherwise known as general lower back pain, lumbago is a common condition for individuals who work jobs that involve constant bending and heavy lifting. However, persons with sedentary lifestyles are also prone to the condition, which often counts degenerative disc disease or arthritis as causes.
• Dorsalgia – The result of a collection of pain disorders originating from back muscles, nerves, and joints attached to the spine, dorsalgia pain can be constant or intermittent. It can cause difficulty when changing posture and an inability to walk or bend comfortably.
• Back spasms – Sprained or strained back muscles can result in spasms, which are leading causes of back pain. They can occur because of injury, inflammation, or dehydration, among other reasons.

Treatment Options for Chronic Back Pain

There are several ways to reduce back pain, both at home and at The Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers. It is critical to take special care of one’s back because many regular activities begin and end with the ability to move and walk freely. Ways to facilitate a pain-free lifestyle include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight – It is important to exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Not only will the exercise add strength and flexibility, but any extra weight can put unnecessary pressure on the spine and cause back pain.
• Improving posture – Poor posture can cause and even worsen back pain, so individuals should keep their backs straight while standing and pressed against their chair when sitting.
• Lifting carefully – Lifting items that are too heavy can cause back pain, but so can lifting improperly. Proper lifting form includes using one’s legs instead of bending at the waist and putting pressure on the back.
• Taking medication – Most back pain is related to inflammation, so taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can significantly reduce back pain.

However, if your back pain is too much to bear despite home remedies, The Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers can offer more advanced solutions at our locations in The Woodlands, Houston, and Midtown. Our services include:

• Chiropractic care – Our chiropractic specialists take a holistic approach to treatment, alleviating back, side, and lower abdomen pain through massage therapy and active release techniques (ART), among other methods.
• Physical therapy can help improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the back muscles and spine. This can be done through exercises, stretches, and other techniques.
• Spine surgery – We partner with surgeons who perform several spine surgical procedures, including decompression and fusion surgeries, to address chronic back pain.
• Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy that takes place in a pool. The buoyancy of the water can help reduce pressure on the back and joints, making it easier to perform exercises and stretches.
• Epidural Steroid Injections – When over-the-counter medication does not provide sufficient relief, we can offer faster-acting injections that target the source of one’s back pain.
• Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment option that involves stretching the spine to relieve pressure on the nerves and discs. This can be done using a machine or through manual manipulation.
• Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses a low-level laser to help reduce inflammation and pain in the back muscles and joints.

Advantages of Non-Surgical Treatment

Non-surgical treatments can provide long-term relief from back pain by addressing the underlying cause of the pain. For example, physical therapy and spinal decompression can help improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the back muscles and spine, which can reduce pressure on the nerves and discs. Laser therapy can help reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected areas, which can reduce pain and improve function.

Non-surgical treatment options for back pain offer several benefits compared to surgery, including:

• Less invasive and painful: Non-surgical treatments are typically less invasive and painful than surgery. Many non-surgical treatments can be performed in a healthcare provider's office or clinic and do not require hospitalization. This can help reduce the risk of complications, such as infections, bleeding, or nerve damage.
• Lower risk of complications and infections: Non-surgical treatments carry a lower risk of complications and infections than surgical procedures. This is because there is no incision or cutting involved, which reduces the risk of bleeding and infection.
• Shorter recovery time: Non-surgical treatments often have a shorter recovery time compared to surgery. Many non-surgical treatments can be performed on an outpatient basis, which means the patient can go home the same day and resume their normal activities within a few days.
• Cost-effective: Non-surgical treatments are often less expensive than surgical procedures, which can be a significant consideration for patients without insurance or with high deductibles.
• Potential to avoid surgery altogether: In many cases, non-surgical treatments can provide long-term relief from back pain without the need for surgery. This can be especially beneficial for patients who are not good candidates for surgery due to underlying health conditions or other factors.

By addressing the underlying cause of the pain and promoting healing, non-surgical treatments can provide long-term relief from back pain, allowing patients to resume their normal activities and enjoy a better quality of life.

Let The Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers Ease Back Pain

Do not go through life with nagging back pain that precludes you from accomplishing routine tasks. Seek assistance from a back pain specialist at The Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers.

We offer convenient, safe, and effective back pain treatment in The Woodlands and Houston to help you find relief and improve your quality of life. Our team will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your pain and help you achieve long-term relief. Don't let back pain hold you back any longer – schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward a pain-free life.