Sudden back pain can occur after a quick movement, improperly lifting something heavy, or for no discernible reason. When dealing with a sudden episode of back pain, visiting Dr. Alicia Carter at Regenerative Medicine and Orthopedics can help you identify the cause and provide relief. Here are some benefits of seeing a spine doctor:
Precise Diagnosis and Care
A sudden onset of back pain may result from herniated discs, joint inflammation, muscle strain, and more. An experienced spine doctor will evaluate your symptoms to establish the root. If imaging technology is needed, such as X-rays or MRIs, these studies can be order in the appropriate fashion. Nerve tests like an EMG, or not often needed, but can help your doctor determine if the pain is localized at a specific nerve in an arm or a leg versus a spinal nerve. An accurate diagnosis helps the provide a treatment plan that successfully addresses the root cause, giving relief and preventing recurrences. MRI scans are also helpful for planning treatments, such as, spinal injections for back and nerve pain.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Experienced spine doctors are able to present non-surgical treatment options such as steroid injections, trigger point injections, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Steroid injections help reduce inflammation at the injection site. Trigger point injections relieve tension in muscular areas that have formed painful knots or trigger points.
PRP injections provide long-term relief by utilizing platelets’ natural healing capabilities. After drawing blood, doctors separate the platelets and inject them into the target area. Platelets release growth factors that encourage cell regeneration and tissue repair, eliminating pain and inflammation. Dr. Carter only uses HIGH-DOSE platelet rich plasma therapy.
Improved Mobility
Sudden back pain inhibits movement and mobility and can cause stiffness and inflexiblity. This impacts your ability to complete daily responsibilities. A spine doctor offers non-invasive treatment options to help restore mobility. PRP therapy promotes long-term tissue healing, reducing inflammation that leads to stiffness or joint pain. Steroid injections minimize inflammation near spinal nerves, reducing sensations of pinching and numbness that impair mobility.
Chronic Pain Prevention
Delayed treatment for sudden back pain may lead to persistent pain and lead to movement compensation with eventual injury to other to joints or tissues. To prevent chronic back pain after an acute incident, visit a spine doctor if:
- Pain does not improve within seven days
- The pain subsides but continues to recur
- The pain is severe
- You experience leg numbness, tingling, or weakness
Spine doctors help too quickly manage acute symptoms and work with you to create a pain prevention and management plan for long-term relief. Treatment plans might include evaluating your current habits and making adjustments to them. Poor posture, lifting with inappropriate technique, or a lack of ergonomic comfort in office chairs may lead to prolonged back pain. Doctors can recommend lifestyle changes to mitigate sudden back pain and prevent chronic pain.
Visit a Spine Doctor for Sudden Back Pain Relief
Sudden onset of back pain might be a sign of an underlying issue or an isolated incident. A spine doctor can diagnose the cause and offer treatment options for relief. With an accurate diagnosis, non-invasive treatment options, and a plan for pain prevention, you can get effective treatment. Contact Dr. Carter at Regenerative Medicine and Orthopedics to learn more about treatment options for sudden back pain.