Can Chronic Back Pain Be Cured? – Your Options
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Can chronic back pain be cured? About 80% of adults in the U.S experience acute or chronic back pain at least once or twice in their lives. Back pain is the most common cause of job-related or missed workdays.
The Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas (MINT) provides chronic back pain relief by performing various minimally invasive spine surgery based on the patient’s condition, symptoms severity, and overall health.
Most patients suffer from short-term back pain that lasts for a few days or weeks. However, acute or short-term back pain is mechanical, meaning it results from problems in your muscles, such as stiffness, tightness, or injury.
On the other hand, chronic back pain persists for over three months even if your doctor treats the underlying cause. Studies show that 20% of patients with acute pain end up developing long-lasting discomfort and pain with symptoms that last for more than a year.
Can Chronic Back Pain Be Cured?
What are options for chronic back pain relief? If you have been suffering from severe back pain for the last 2-3 months or more, it is wise to visit MINT in Plano, TX, to receive a thorough diagnosis for your spinal condition and get chronic back pain relief by undergoing proper treatment. Continue reading!
Medications
There are numerous medication categories used to treat chronic back pain. The most common medications prescribed for chronic pain are opioids or narcotics. Although these medications are effective against spinal pain, they can lead to dependency or addiction.
Besides, it is crucial to ask your doctor about the side effects of medications and the length of treatment. Other drugs used to treat chronic back pain are NSAIDs, Acetaminophen, Antidepressants, and Muscle Relaxants.
Epidural Injections
Epidural steroid injections are an effective treatment to reduce inflammation and pain in the spine. The purpose is to deliver medication into your body directly and quickly. Your doctor will inject the medicine into your epidural area that covers the spinal cord.
A health professional uses an X-ray machine to streamline the process. X-rays help guide the doctor to inject the needle in the right area and ensure the medication effectively reduces chronic back pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is one of the best treatment options for chronic back pain relief. A professional physical therapist will guide you and help you perform a set of exercises tailored to your specific symptoms. Some physical therapy exercises that you can do at home are:
- Core strengthening exercises
- Stretching exercises
- Aerobic exercises
- Yoga and meditation
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Research shows that over 90% of people with chronic back pain get non-surgical treatment. However, when conservative treatments are ineffective, it is wise to consult an experienced and qualified neurosurgeon.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is an effective treatment option with over 98% success rate if performed correctly. MINT is a reputable spinal surgery clinic in Plano, TX, and to date, we have treated hundreds of patients and helped them get back to their day-to-day lives. Minimally invasive spine surgery options include:
- Spinal Laminectomy
- Discectomy
- Microdiscectomy
- Foraminotomy
- Spinal Fusion, such as
- ALIF
- PLIF
- XLIF
- TLIF
- Vertebroplasty
- Kyphoplasty
Minimally invasive surgery is a unique and practical approach that requires the surgeon to make a tiny incision in the front or back to approach the area of concern. Unlike open-back surgery, minimally invasive surgery offers several benefits, including:
- Smaller incision
- Less blood loss
- Fewer surgical scars
- Shorter hospital stay
- Quick rehabilitation
- Reduced infection risks
- Spared muscles and nerves
Can chronic back pain be cured with MIS surgery? The primary goal of MIS surgery here at MINT is to stabilize your spinal joints and vertebral bones. Our qualified, licensed, and skilled neurosurgeons use their experience and state-of-the-art equipment to relieve pressure on your spinal nerves. We have treated hundreds of patients who suffered from different spinal conditions, including:
- Bone spurs
- Scoliosis
- Herniated discs
- Spinal instability
- Spinal tumors
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatic pain
- Degenerative disc disease
- Vertebral compression fractures
Contact MINT Today
If you seek chronic back pain relief, we recommend you consult a qualified neurosurgeon who will tell you about the type of MIS surgery for your spinal pain. Our neurosurgeon will inform you about the relative benefits and risks of MIS surgery.
Bear in mind that MIS surgery is more effective than open back surgery because it does not lead to complications and infections. Can chronic back pain be cured? Contact MINT to schedule your appointment with our experienced and skilled neurosurgeon.