It was time for heavy cleaning and Jennifer was ready to tackle the job! Her house begged for attention after the cooler months and busy schedules of school and work related activities. Thankfully, Jennifer’s husband offered to take the kids out for the day so she could begin the annual organizing and cleaning process that she actually enjoyed. Putting on work clothes and pulling her hair into a ponytail she felt almost giddy. Then it happened. While lifting boxes of clothing to donate, Jennifer felt a sharp pain in her back and dropped to the floor. Upon his return home later that afternoon Jennifer’s husband found her lying on the couch. Unfortunately she didn’t make much progress on the house that day.
Injuries happen all too frequently and the resulting pain is one of the most common complaints of Americans. Considering that the number of Americans who experience chronic pain is 116 million, we can confidently say that pain is a medical problem for which effective healing is needed. The most commonly reported chronic complaint is back pain (27%) with chronic neck pain reported as the second most frequent complaint at 15%. In fact, statistics show that about 80% of all Americans will suffer from back pain at some point. Unfortunately pain can take control of your life resulting in difficulty sleeping, lost productivity at work, and a lower quality of life. Therefore seeking treatment for pain that doesn’t go away within a reasonable amount of time is important.
There are many methods for treating pain and specifically neck and back pain. Determining the best and most appropriate treatment plan includes consultation with your physician. Most physicians will take a conservative approach of rest and anti-inflammatory medications possibly combined with physical therapy. However, if your pain doesn’t improve there are other options available.
Following rest, another non-invasive yet successful treatment for many types of neck and back pain include injections. A specialist in pain management might treat you with an epidural steroid injection, nerve root or joint block injection. Given as a series over a specific time period, these may prove effective for many patients. Epidural steroid injections, nerve root and joint block injections may be done in a hospital on an outpatient basis and can offer substantial relief either on a temporary or permanent basis.
In some cases, surgery may be warranted to relieve pain. The newest, advanced technology available today allows us to perform a variety of minimally invasive surgical options. These sophisticated procedures have a high success rate and also offer patients a shorter hospital stay, less post-operative pain and a reduced recovery period. (The spine specialists at Texas Health Rockwall are board certified and highly experienced in a variety of treatments including minimally invasive surgery and the more traditional procedures that may be required of specific conditions.)
Whether you are like Jennifer above, who may simply have a short-term injury, or experience chronic pain there are options available. Texas Health Rockwall recognizes the need for such treatment and provides the advanced technology needed to perform procedures that offer the greatest hope for relief. Don’t waste any more of your precious time suffering! With careful, compassionate and innovative treatment getting back to the life you love and the activities you enjoy is in reach.
To find a physician or for more information about minimally invasive procedures, visit texashealthrockwall.com/hospital-services/neck-back.html
The Good Health guest column is submitted by Blue Ribbon News special contributor, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall, recently recognized among the ‘Best Places to Work’ in healthcare – ranked 27th in the nation by Modern Healthcare Magazine.
Please click here to LIKE Blue Ribbon News on Facebook , win prize drawings, and help us spread more good news!
To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
Treatment options for neck, back pain added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →