Back pain and neck pain can interfere with a lot of daily activities. It can be caused by many things, including overworking your body, injuries, and heavy lifting. When the pain becomes debilitating, surgery may be recommended. However, sometimes nonsurgical treatments may alleviate symptoms and let you get back to your usual daily routine – without pain.
The first step is consulting an orthopedic spine specialist to better understand your condition and treatment options. After your consultation, the doctor may simply recommend noninvasive treatment. If this is the case, here are some of the treatment options that may be recommended to treat your back and neck pain:
- Sometimes the culprit of back or neck pain is overexertion. Back pain and neck pain may go away if you take it easy for a few days. This means no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. Let your muscles and tendons heal before resuming your regular activities.
- Better Posture. The cause of your back or neck pain may also be bad posture. If you don’t keep your spine properly aligned, this could cause pain. To fix this, start by being more aware of your posture. Stand straight, sit straight, and learn to sleep on your back instead of your stomach or side. You could also invest in furniture that promotes better posture. For example, buy a chair that keeps your back straight while you work, or a mattress and pillows that are easier on your body.
- Heat or Ice. If your back or neck pain is due to inflammation, ice can reduce the swelling and alleviate pain. Make sure to alternate between cold and hot packs. Sticking to only one for an extended time may cause more harm than good.
- Pain Medications. Oral steroids, muscle relaxants, and narcotic drugs are just some of the medicines your doctor may prescribe to alleviate your back and neck pain.
- Exercise and Weight Loss. Being overweight can put additional pressure on your spine and result in back and neck pain. Losing weight can remove the added stress and may help alleviate the pain. Specific exercises can also strengthen the spine.
- A therapeutic massage can temporarily alleviate back and neck pain. It also improves blood flow and can reduce stiffness in the body.
- Manual Manipulation. A chiropractor or an osteopathic doctor can perform manual manipulation of the spine to treat back pain and neck pain caused by spinal misalignment. It also increases flexibility, improves blood flow, and releases muscle tension.
Spine Specialists in Cleveland
Whether it’s surgery or a nonsurgical procedure you need, we can help. Book an appointment, and the spine specialists at Orthopaedic Associates in Westlake and Avon, Ohio, will be able to pinpoint the kind of treatment you need. Call us at (440) 892-1440 to schedule your consultation. We look forward to assisting you.