Back Pain Dr Near Me in West Orange Answers 6 Questions About Acute Low Back Pain

1. What causes acute low back pain?

Although acute low back pain can be caused by a localized injury, it is most of the time classed as “non-specific,” which means the pain specialist has no way of knowing for sure what’s causing it. This may irritate you as a patient, but in most situations, therapy and rest are sufficient to alleviate the discomfort.

Unless your back pain doctor observes any indicators of a major health concern, diagnostic imaging tests are typically unneeded. If the discomfort persists despite treatment, such testing may be beneficial even if there are no apparent red flags.

2. What type of treatments do back pain doctors recommend?

The first stages in treating acute low back pain generally involve pain medication and physical therapy. If you are used to exercising, your doctor will most likely allow you to stay active but adapt your routine to avoid more pain.

The most frequent method of therapy is pain medication, which is available over the counter or by prescription, but your doctor will also give you a few tips on how to care for your back at home. If the initial therapy is ineffective, the doctor may propose a minimally invasive procedure to relieve discomfort.

3. Who is more at risk of developing acute low back pain?

Adults between the ages of 35 and 55 are the most likely to experience acute low back pain. Standing in a fixed position for long periods of time, such as while sitting at a desk all day, increases your risk of experiencing this type of pain. Heavy physical labor, bending or twisting frequently, as well as heavy lifting, can also lead to acute back pain.

Excess weight, according to many studies, can increase the chance of experiencing acute back pain as it puts more pressure on the spine, compressing a nerve or causing muscle injury. Smoking, as well as excessive alcohol use, might raise the risk of experiencing back discomfort.

4. How can I prevent acute back pain from turning chronic?

Acute back discomfort might turn into chronic back pain in some cases. This might happen due to two primary reasons:

• Not controlling inflammation and the scar tissue that results. This leads to decreased flexibility which might cause further injury. Scar tissue can also induce muscle spasms and trigger points.
• Changes in the body – usually coming with age – can encourage your nerve system to incorrectly amplify or alter pain signals, resulting in chronic pain.

A healthy, active lifestyle and early treatment are two of the most effective ways to keep acute back pain from becoming chronic.

5. Is there something I can do to lower the risks of acute back pain?

As the old adage goes, to prevent is better than to cure.

To minimize acute low back pain, keep your muscles flexible and your core strong by doing workouts that focus on proper spinal alignment. Yoga and Pilates are perfect examples of core-strengthening exercises that can help you train your entire body and improve your back muscles so that they provide better support to the spine.

Understanding how body mechanics work can also prove helpful in preventing low back pain. Bend from knees and use your legs rather than the back while lifting heavy objects. Your spine is protected because your legs and hips are broader and stronger. As you raise the weight you’re lifting, good body mechanics will help keep your spine straight.

6. When should I seek medical advice?

While not every mild presence of discomfort demands a trip to the doctor, receiving medical attention for persistent back pain can be a critical step in your recovery. The justification for this is that early treatment may avoid the development of a long-term back problem.

During your appointment with a back doctor, you will normally discuss your medical history and undergo a physical examination. The information gathered by your back doctor during this consultation will aid in the diagnosis of your discomfort, which can be classified as non-specific low back pain, nerve-related pain, or red flags that require more investigations. Your treatment and any required testing will very certainly be determined by how your back doctor classifies your acute pain.

If your acute back pain persists, it’s time to see a back pain specialist and get to the root of the problem. At our pain clinic, a team of experienced doctors led by our medical director, Dr George Hanna, is ready to assist you in identifying the source of the discomfort and find the best-suited treatment for acute and chronic back pain. We also accept all major medical insurances, as we want all of our patients to have access to superior pain therapy. Postponing is never a good idea, so schedule an appointment with a back pain dr near me in West Orange as soon as possible. Call our West Orange, NJ Pain Center today and our friendly staff will guide you through the whole process.