Sports injuries, arthritis, and accidents can result in back pain. A back doctor from Regenerative Medicine and Orthopedics can perform a medical examination and use imaging studies to determine the root cause of your back pain symptoms. Here are three ways to help improve your back pain:
1. Steroid Injections
Spinal nerves and joints can become inflamed due to injury, causing back pain. Inflammation contributes to conditions such as sciatica and herniated disks. Treatments include steroids, which contain anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, and steroid injections that help reduce inflammation around spinal joints and nerves. A back doctor is able to provide targeted injections, which deliver steroids directly to the source of the pain to help them work more quickly. Steroid injections include:
- Lumbar epidural steroid injection: This injection is administered in the epidural space in the lumbar region, or lower back. The epidural space has nerves and connective tissues, and the injection targets the nerve canal, addressing pinched nerves and relieving lower back pain.
- Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection: The lumbar injection offers long-term relief for lower and general back pain. It is administered in the foramen, an opening in the side of the spine, allowing medication delivery near the nerve root.
- Sacroiliac joint steroid injection: Sacroiliac joint pain can cause lower back pain. Receiving a sacroiliac joint injection provides relief from inflammation and treats pain caused by trauma, old age, and joint asymmetry.
Steroid injections can also improve mobility, which can make it easier to perform daily tasks and routines. Regenerative Medicine and Orthopedics utilize imaging tools such as fluoroscopy, X-rays, and ultrasounds for injections. This increases precision, allowing us to make sure the medication is administered to the correct location in the body.
2. PRP Injections
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP injections, can help with chronic back pain. Platelets are cell fragments that contain healing proteins and help stimulate collagen production to repair damaged or inflamed tissues. During treatment, these platelets are collected from your blood sample and concentrated. Our multi-spin protocol allows for a higher platelet count. The platelets are injected into an injured muscle, joint, or spine. These reduce inflammation during the healing process, helping alleviate pain, and they stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
3. Exercise
Integrating exercise into your back treatment can help improve your range of motion and reduce the risk of chronic pain. A doctor will provide you with a customized motion plan during your treatment, helping to improve circulation and decrease stiffness and tension. The program may start with stretches and isometric exercises, and then include low-impact activities such as walking and swimming. Regenerative Medicine and Orthopedics customizes your plan based on how you respond to treatment.
Find a Back Doctor
Ice or heat packs and over-the-counter medications help ease muscle inflammation and strain. Our other back treatments include trigger point injections and stem-cell-based therapies. For added convenience, patients have the option to upload X-rays and MRIs on our website. Regenerative Medicine and Orthopedics provides free PRP and cell-based therapy estimates. To meet with a back doctor, fill out our online form or call us today.