How Pain Specialists Manage and Treat Herniated Disc Pain

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Pain from a herniated disc can be mild and easy to handle, moderate and distracting, or severe enough to send you straight to a doctor.

It can hit suddenly and resolve in a few days. It can be constant or chronic and last for months or longer. 

Doctors specialized in pain management recommend treating herniated disc pain with conservative, non-surgical treatments. They may recommend surgery only after all other treatments have failed. 

The Three Types of Herniated Discs 

1. Contained Herniation (bulging disc)

With this type of herniation, there is generally no pain or mild pain. 

Bulging discs occur when pressure between the vertebrae pinches the disc, forcing it to bulge. When there is pain, it comes from the bulging disc putting pressure on nearby spinal nerves.

2. Non-Contained Herniation (severe bulging disc)

This severe disc herniation generally causes severe back pain.

It can also be associated with numbness, weakness, and tingling in the extremities from the extreme pressure on spinal nerves. 

3. Sequestered herniation (disc rupture)

This type of herniation can cause intense pain and decreased mobility. It is also associated with numbness, weakness, and tingling in the extremities.

Disc ruptures can occur when non-contained herniations or severe bulging discs go untreated. As pressure between the vertebrae builds up, it eventually overloads the discs, forcing them to rupture. 

Where They Occur in the Body

Most herniated discs are in the neck and lower back.

Lumbar pain (lower back) 

Sciatica or leg pain is the most common symptom associated with herniated discs in the lower back.

Patients describe sharp, burning, or radiating pain down the lower back, through the buttock, and down the leg (pain travels through the sciatic nerve). 

Herniated lumbar discs can also cause numbness and muscle weakness in the foot and ankle. 

Cervical herniated disc (neck) 

Depending on the location of the herniated disc, pain can present in the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand. The pain from cervical herniated discs can last for days, weeks, months or longer, and be constant or chronic. 

When a herniated disc puts too much pressure on cervical nerves, patients can experience tingling, numbness, and weakness in the deltoid muscle (shoulder muscle), biceps, wrist muscles, hands, and triceps.

Thoracic Spine (upper back)

Disc herniations in the upper back are less common and rarely cause pain. When there is pain, it presents in the upper back and chest. 

Pain Treatments for Them

Pain management specialists typically begin herniated disc treatment with rest and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Medications 

Depending on the severity of the pain, medication may make it easier for patients to tolerate physical therapy. 

  • OTC NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen (recommended for mild to moderate pain)
  • oral narcotic agents (prescribed for severe pain)
  • oral steroids (prescribed to treat severe pain and reduce inflammation)

Home and Non-M.D. Treatments

These are treatments that don’t require a pain management doctor’s expertise.

When applied for 4-6 weeks, these treatments can help reduce pain and discomfort. Applying more than one treatment at once may achieve better results. 

  • Heat and cold therapy
  • Moderate physical activity
  • Chiropractic
  • Moderate exercise
  • Changing sleep positions 
  • physical therapy
  • Myofascial release and/or massage

Therapeutic Injections

Pain management specialists may recommend therapeutic injections if conventional therapies and medications don’t work or provide relief soon enough. 

Therapeutic injections can relieve pain for days, weeks, and even months, which buys time for conservative, non-surgical treatments to work.

Two commonly used therapeutic injections: 

  • epidural injections: Used to reduce inflammation and provide extended pain relief.
  • nerve blocks: Used to diagnose the source of the neck pain and to provide extended pain relief.

Herniated Disc Treatment in Texas

If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc or think you may have one, Texas Pain Physicians can help. We have offices in Houston, Dallas, and a dozen other locations across Texas.

Give us a call or book an appointment online and start your pain-free journey today!

Is Therapeutic Nerve Block A Pain Treatment for You? 7 “Need to Knows”

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Maybe your pain medication isn’t working anymore. Maybe you got tired of the side effects and stopped taking it. Or maybe you don’t want to take pain meds at all.

Whatever the case, you need pain relief ASAP. A therapeutic nerve block may be the answer.

Here are 7 things to know about therapeutic nerve blocks:

1. What they are.

A pain-relief and healing therapy doctors employ as an alternative to pain medication. Therapeutic nerve blockers provide extended pain relief and assist the body’s healing process by reducing nerve irritation.

2. What areas of the body they can treat:

  • head: forehead, face, eyelids, scalp, upper jaw
  • neck (all of the neck)
  • back: middle back, lower back, upper back, pelvis
  • arms: shoulders, armpits, arms, elbows, wrists
  • hands (all of the hands)

3. What types of pain do therapeutic nerve blocks treat?

 

Arthritis pain or pain from injury:

Steroid injections with local anesthetic into the facet joints or vertebrae to help treat joint pain.

Childbirth, neck, back, or leg pain:

Steroid or other medication and local anesthetic injected into the epidural area are known as ‘epidurals.’ These injections are often used during labor to ease the pain of childbirth. They are also used to treat severe nerve pain in the neck, back, and legs.

For buttocks, lower back, and upper leg pain:

Steroid and local anesthetic injections into the sacroiliac joint, the area between the pelvic bones in the lower back.

For arthritis pain in the shoulder:

Steroid and anesthetic injections in the suprascapular area of the shoulder. They treat arthritis pain in the shoulder that isn’t treatable with direct, in-joint injections.

For chronic headaches:

Steroid and local anesthetic injections into the occipital nerves in the back of the head to relieve headaches and other types of nerve pain.

4. How long they relieve pain.

The pain relief from nerve block injections typically lasts from 1 to 2 weeks.

Doctors may recommend several or more injections when you face an extended recovery time from injury or need to buy time while looking for a permanent pain management solution.

5. What the procedure is like.

Nerve block procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and should take less than 30 minutes.

An anesthetic and anti-inflammatory or steroid are injected near the nerves sending pain signals to the brain.

Pain Management in Texas

At Texas Pain Physicians, our board-certified pain management doctors will address your pain at the source. They will map out a unique pain treatment strategy for you.

Please call us today at (972) 636-5727 or click here to schedule an appointment.

How to Stop Night Cramps in Your Legs

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Being jolted out of a peaceful slumber by the intense pain and discomfort of leg cramps is shocking. 

More often than not, leg cramps or muscle spasms hit the calf muscles (calf muscle cramps are sometimes referred to as “charley horses”). But cramps hit the front and back of the thigh muscles, too. 

Here’s how to stop, or at least cut down on night leg cramps.

1. Stretch your legs. 

Unstretched muscles may be more prone to cramping, especially for people over 50, who report more nighttime leg cramps than younger people. This is likely due to muscles shortening with age. 

If you have a few free minutes, loosen up your calf, hamstring, and quad muscles with some stretches during the day or before bed.

2. Be as active as possible. 

Underused muscles may be more prone to cramping. 

Work, school, and other obligations keep us on tight schedules. But getting in a bit of exercise in your free moments during the week may keep the cramps away.

If you only have time at night, try to do some light exercise just before bed, along with your stretching. Just make sure not to overdo it. Overstimulating muscles causes muscles fatigue, which can cause leg cramps.

3. Stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes. 

Experts think dehydration can cause cramps. Try to drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day.

When you sweat from exercise or any strenuous activity, drink extra water and eat something healthy to replenish electrolytes. 

Healthy foods and drinks like bananas, watermelon, milk and yogurt, and coconut water can help restore your electrolyte balance.

Also, try to avoid having too many drinks that contribute to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, such as coffee and alcoholic beverages. 

4. Take a warm shower or apply heat before bed. 

Sore, tired leg muscles are more prone to cramping. Taking a warm or hot shower or applying heat to them before bed can loosen and relax muscles and prevent night cramps. 

5. Loosen your bedding. 

If your sheets are tucked in so that your feet and legs can’t move freely, they are too tight. Loosen your bedding so that you can stretch out and shift comfortably. 

 

6. Wear comfortable or orthopedic shoes. 

Go easy on your legs by wearing comfortable shoes or even orthopedic shoes when you can. When your shoes don’t provide arch support, your leg muscles compensate, leading to muscle fatigue and cramps. 

Pain Management at Texas Pain Physicians 

Do you or someone you know have nighttime leg cramps? Would you like to schedule an appointment with a top-rated, board-certified pain management specialist? Please get in touch with us today at (972) 636-5727.

7 Ways to Stop and Shorten Sciatica Flare Ups

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The last thing you want is another extended bout of sciatica.

Put these 7 tips to use to cut down on and lessen the severity of flare-ups (in order of easiest to do): 

1. Take meds (for fast relief). 

If you are suffering a sciatica flare-up, you want immediate relief. These meds can help:

  • Acetaminophen and NSAIDs: Pain relievers such as Tylenol and Naproxen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds such as ibuprofen and aspirin can provide immediate, short-term relief. 
  • Muscle relaxers: When the underlying cause of your sciatica is muscle spasms, muscle relaxers such as carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine can provide relief.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants: Doctors prescribe the anti-depressants amitriptyline and nortriptyline to reduce nerve pain. They are prescribed at lower doses than when used for depression. 
  • Steroids: The oral steroid prednisone provides pain relief by reducing inflammation.

*Please note that all of the above medications have certain side effects. Talk to your doctor before taking them to relieve sciatica. 

2. Apply heat and cold.

Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the painful area for 15 to 20 minutes can relieve pain quickly by reducing inflammation. 

A heat compress or pack can also relieve pain by increasing circulation and loosening up tight muscles. 

3. Don’t sit too much. 

Putting pressure on your sciatic nerve for extended periods can lead to sciatic pain. Whether sitting at your desk at work, in a car or plane on a trip, or at a restaurant chatting up friends, remember to get up and walk around for a few minutes now and then. 

Also, remember to take your wallet and other objects out of your back pockets when you sit down. They add pressure to the sciatic nerve.

4. Improve your posture. 

Poor posture can make sciatic pain worse. When standing and sitting, make sure your back is straight, and your shoulders are back. The idea is to feel tall when standing or sitting. 

5. Stretch. 

The sciatic nerve runs through your hips, buttocks, and hamstrings. Tight ligaments and muscles in these areas can contribute to sciatic pain.

Stretching these areas keeps the muscles and ligaments loose, which can stop and lessen the pain.

6. Diet and exercise.

Carrying around excess body weight puts added pressure on your sciatic nerve. Dieting can help you shed pounds and maintain a healthy weight.

A non-active lifestyle with a lot of sitting contributes to sciatica. In contrast, an active lifestyle with a lot of movement lessens or even eliminates the pain.

You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete, but incorporating some safe exercise, sports, or outdoor activities into your daily routine can make a big difference.

7. Cut down on stress. 

When you are stressed out, your brain supplies less oxygen to your nerves, including the sciatic nerve. Oxygen-starved sciatic nerves are more likely to produce pain. 

Visit the Texas Pain Management Specialists

At Texas Pain Physicians, our board-certified pain management doctors know how to manage sciatica. Let us review your unique health situation and develop a pain relief plan that works for you.

Schedule an appointment online today, or give us a call at (972) 636-5727.

5 Ways to Get Rid of Tennis Elbow Pain

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Tennis elbow or elbow tendonitis is an overuse injury caused by repetitive activities, such as:

  • sports like tennis and racquetball
  • exercising and weightlifting
  •  hands-on jobs such as carpentry and office jobs that involve typing and talking on the phone
  • yardwork such as raking and shoveling, and knitting

The main symptom is pain in the bony knob outside your elbow and pain in the upper and lower or forearm. You feel this pain when you use your hands for things like gripping objects and typing. 

Here are five easy ways to get some pain relief:

1. Change your routine. 

For athletes, this could mean changing up the exercise and or weightlifting routine. Cycle different exercises so that you don’t do the same movement over and over for months. 

If a job is causing your tennis elbow, think about how you can change your work area, tools, and habits.

For carpenters, this could mean hiring a helper, using more power tools that don’t require as much hand manipulation, or taking an extra day of rest per week.

For office workers, this could mean trading work tasks and rearranging your work area so that it’s more ergonomic.

2. Get plenty of rest.

Sometimes less is more. 

If you are an athlete or play sports often, resting your injured arm is great medicine. Take at least a few days off and allow your elbow tendons to start healing. 

Taking time off from work may be harder. For carpenters and other skilled trade workers, this might mean hiring a helper to take some of the physical labor off your plate or taking an extra day off per week.

For paid employees, if you visit your doctor and are diagnosed with elbow tendonitis related to work, you should be able to take time off that doesn’t count against your allotted vacation time.

If you can’t take time off, try to rest your injured arm on your off days.

3. Apply a cold compress. 

When your tennis elbow starts, apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth or cold compress as soon as possible for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. Cold compresses reduce inflammation.

4. Elevate your arm.

Raising and resting your elbow at a level above your heart several times a day will reduce inflammation.

5. Wear a brace.

It’s often not practical to miss practices if you are a full-time athlete or miss workdays when you are a full-time employee. But you can wear a counterforce brace as much as possible.

These special braces reduce the pressure on your elbow muscles and tendons. You can find these online, at pharmacy stores, and in grocery stores in the pharmacy sections.

Tennis Elbow Treatment in Houston, Dallas, and Throughout Texas

At Texas Pain Physicians, our number one priority is to improve the quality of life of our patients. We have helped thousands of people get back to what they need and love to do.

We offer quick access to accurate diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. Call us today at (972) 636-5727 to book an appointment.

White woman curled up in bed in pain, covering her head with a pillow.

7 Fast-Acting Medications and Treatments for Severe Migraines and Cluster Headaches

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Severe or acute migraines and cluster headaches can hit in minutes and cause excruciating pain. 

While there are many management, prevention, and treatment options, sometimes relief can’t wait. 

Let’s look at seven fast-acting prescription medications and treatments.

1. Sumatriptan

Prescription triptan drugs can get rid of your acute migraines and cluster headaches in minutes. 

Sumatriptan, the fastest-working drug on this list, works fastest in injectable form. Typically, a medical professional administers the first injection. 

Whereas injectable and nasal Sumatriptan can start providing relief in 15 minutes, oral Sumatriptan takes 30-60 minutes. The nasal spray is for migraines and cluster headaches, and the pills are only for migraines. 

2. Oxygen (for Cluster Headaches Only)

Strapping a mask over your face and taking in pure oxygen can start relieving severe headache symptoms from cluster headaches within 15 minutes.

Unfortunately, oxygen can be very inconvenient as a severe headache relief option because you either have to take it at a medical facility or carry a portable tank with you.

3. Zolmitriptan 

Another prescription triptan drug, Zolmitriptan, is a fast-acting nasal spray alternative to injections that treat migraines and cluster headache attacks.

Zolmitriptan can be taken as an oral tablet to dissolve in the mouth, an oral pill to swallow, and a nasal spray.  

The nasal spray works faster, providing noticeable relief as soon as 10 minutes (typically taking an hour to bring significant relief).

The oral forms typically take two hours to noticeably relieve pain (probably not fast enough, especially for a cluster headache).

4. Octreotide (for Cluster Headaches Only)

Octreotide or Sandostatin is a synthetic form of the brain hormone somatostatin. It’s an effective medication for cluster headaches but not for migraines.

It can provide relief within 30 minutes, though it’s generally not as fast-acting or effective as Triptans. 

5. Nerve Blocker 

A nerve blocker like lidocaine is a quick treatment for migraines and cluster headaches — but you can’t take it with you. Some people experience improvements in their symptoms within 15 minutes.

It’s a procedure administered by a medical professional at a medical facility that involves receiving an anesthetic injection into the back of the skull.

Nerve-blocking injections can provide pain relief from migraines and cluster headaches for months. 

6. Local Nasal Anesthetic (for Cluster Headaches Only)

A prescription local nasal anesthetic, such as lidocaine, can provide a numbing effect for cluster headache pain within minutes.

Like nerve blockers and oxygen, this treatment is only available for administration in a medical facility. Also, this isn’t a long-term option, as pain relief from a local nasal anesthetic wears off within hours. 

7. Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45)

Dihydroergotamine is a medication that may provide fast-acting pain relief for migraines and cluster headaches.

It’s available in injectable, intravenous (IV), and nasal spray forms. 

Though generally not as effective a treatment as triptans, Dihydroergotamine is associated with a low risk of migraines returning within 24 hours. 

Expert Treatment for Headache Disorders At Texas Pain Physicians

Do you suffer from severe migraine or cluster headaches, or think you might?

Our board-certified pain management doctors can find what’s causing you pain and ensure you have safe, fast-acting medication.

Give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or book an appointment today.

An elderly woman with arthritis grimacing while holding and massaging her left hand with her right hand.

8 Ways for Women to Lower Their Chances of Developing Arthritis

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According to the CDC, more than 50 million Americans have chronic joint pain or arthritis.

Unfortunately, this chronic pain condition is more common in women.

Anatomy is a contributing factor. Because women have wider hips, there is more stress on their outer knees.

Also, women have less knee cartilage than men, so wear and tear come faster.

But…

Many women don’t ever develop arthritis, and there are many ways to lower the risk. Here are our tips:

1. Eat healthier and eat less.

Obesity is the number one arthritis risk factor for men and women. Every extra pound of weight adds four pounds of pressure on the knees and hips. 

Try to eat more nutritious foods high in soluble fiber like citrus fruits, barley, chia seeds, and legumes.

Foods with soluble fiber make you feel full for longer than processed foods that are low in fiber.

2. Reduce repetitive motion tasks.

Repetitive motion is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis. Office work and jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries require repetitive motion tasks. 

If you have to do repetitive motion tasks, take breaks and use chairs, desks, and standing mats designed to relieve the pressure on your joints. 

3. Practice safe exercise and body mechanics.

Exercise, recreation, and rigorous activity, in general, can help you avoid arthritis. But you can also get injuries that increase the risk of arthritis.

Before you participate in sports and exercise, make sure to warm up. 

When you do physical labor or hold your kids or do anything that involves exerting yourself, use safe body mechanics. 

4. Consult with a doctor and seek treatment.

Before you start a new exercise or workout routine, make sure to consult with a doctor.

It’s also a good idea to hire a personal fitness trainer if you are unfamiliar with the exercises. And, when you do have an injury, always seek the necessary treatment and rehab. 

5. Get Enough Vitamin D.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 60% of Americans don’t get enough Vitamin D, and women are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency than men. 

Vitamin D helps your bones absorb calcium and grows your muscles. In addition to sunlight, good natural sources of vitamin D include oily fish like salmon and sardines, red meat, and egg yolks.

6. Wear comfortable shoes.

Only wear heels on occasion because they are hard on your joints. For the rest of the calendar, try to wear comfortable shoes with arch support as much as possible.

7. Do low-impact sports and exercise.

Sports and activities like long-distance running, tennis, and basketball can wear out your joints in the long run.

On the other hand, you can participate in low or no-impact sports and activities like swimming, biking, and rowing your whole life.

8. Take joint supplements and aspirin.

Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may promote cartilage and joint repair in men and women.

Studies have found that low doses of aspirin, an anti-inflammatory medication, may reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women. 

Arthritis Pain Treatment

Suffering from arthritis pain or think you may have arthritis? At Texas Pain Physicians, our team is ready to help you find relief.

Feel free to give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or schedule your appointment online today!

Lower Back Pain Ruining Your Sleep? 10 Things You Can Do to Sleep Better

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It’s miserable waking up bleary-eyed after tossing and turning all night. You can’t afford to go through that again. 

And you don’t have to.

Let’s look at some simple ways to reduce back pain so you can sleep better.

1. Sleep on your side.

This position keeps your spine correctly aligned and your body balanced, reducing the pressure on the lower back or lumbar. You can put a pillow between your knees to add more support.

2. Use a taller body pillow.

If you are a side sleeper, try using a taller body pillow to help maintain a neutral spine as you sleep. 

3. Put a pillow under your back.

If you are a back sleeper, support your lower back by putting a pillow between your legs or knees. 

4. Put a rolled-up towel around your waist.

This is for back and side sleepers. Wrap a rolled-up bath towel around your waist and tie it in the front. This will help maintain the spine’s natural curve. 

5. Put a large pillow under your lower back and waist and a smaller pillow under your head.

This helps if you sleep on your stomach by keeping your lower back from taking on a U-shape as you sleep. 

6. Lay down and get up safely. 

To lay down, sit down on your bed like you sit down in a chair. Next, ease down to your side or back, supporting yourself with your right or left arm, or both (if sleeping on your back).

To get up from your side, push yourself up with your arms and hands as you swing your legs over the side of the bed. 

To get up from your back or stomach, shift onto your side, then do the above.

From both positions, always avoid bending forward at the waist and jerking yourself up unsupported.

7. Don’t eat too late. 

Eating meals two hours or less before bedtime can trigger acid reflux and disturbing dreams. Spicy food and dairy are especially risky.

8. Avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol too late.

Try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks in the afternoon and evening. Too much caffeine too late can make it hard to calm down and get to sleep. 

Also, drinking too much alcohol close to bedtime can interrupt the sleep cycle, robbing you of restorative slow-wave sleep.  

9. Try OTC medications and supplements.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and topical treatments can reduce back pain and make sleeping easier.

10. Try some relaxation techniques. 

Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can help you relax and sleep better.

Visit the Pain Management Specialists

At Texas Pain Physicians, our doctors have the expertise to manage and treat lower back pain. We can help you make the best decision to handle it so that you start sleeping better.

Feel free to give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or book an appointment online today!

 

Athlete getting knee examination

Have Knee Pain Symptoms? Know When It’s Time to Seek Medical Attention.

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Your knees are the largest, most active joints in your body and the hinge point of your legs.

It’s easy to think most knee pain comes on as a result of injury during strenuous activities. But everyday activities in work and school can cause it, too.

And for many people, chronic knee pain sets in as they age.

Knee Pain You Can Treat At Home

Like other pain symptoms, some knee pain is not severe enough to require medical attention. You can manage the following symptoms at home:

1. Mild to moderate knee pain after a strenuous activity that you don’t normally do, like running or walking a few miles.

2. Mild to moderate knee pain that comes on slowly.

3. Mild to moderate knee pain from minor injuries without significant movement limitation or inability to bear weight, such as mild knee strains.

Knee Pain that Requires Immediate Medical Attention 

Seek immediate medical attention when knee pain is severe, especially when accompanied by weakness and limited range of motion.

Intense Pain: Go to urgent care or the emergency room if you have severe knee pain, especially from a forceful impact.

Deformed joint: Go to urgent care or the emergency room when your knee joint is deformed. A dislocation and or break is likely.

Popping Noise: Go to urgent care or the emergency room if there was a popping noise when your knee was injured.

Sudden Knee swelling: Go to urgent care or the emergency room if your knee swells up suddenly.

Knee Pain Symptoms that Require A Visit to the Doctor

Sudden knee swelling: If swelling sets in gradually, schedule a doctor’s appointment. Significant swelling of the knee can cause joint tissue damage, cartilage degradation, and bone softening.

Joint weakness: See a doctor if your knee cannot bear weight and you need support to walk.

Tenderness and warmth: Schedule a doctor’s appointment if your knee feels warm and sensitive to the touch.

What to Expect During Examination 

A doctor will examine your knee and, depending on the symptoms, do the following:

  • Drawing fluid from the knee
  • Taking an x-ray
  • Take an MRI

Surgery may be necessary to correct the damage. If not, the doctor will recommend home treatments such as rest, hot and cold therapy, and pain medications.

Knee Pain Treatment in Houston and Dallas 

You don’t need to rush to the ER for non-severe knee pain symptoms, but you should schedule a doctor’s appointment. Texas Pain Physicians’ team of board-certified pain specialists are experts at diagnosing, treating, and managing knee pain.

Put your best foot forward by booking an appointment online or calling us today at (972) 636-5727.

Spine Pain

Still in Pain after Spine Surgery? 6 Treatments to Help You Start Feeling Better.

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1 in 5 people* will have spine surgery that fails to provide long-term pain relief, regardless of the type of procedure. This number includes minimally invasive spine surgeries.

Back surgery that fails to relieve pain is known as Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBBS).

Whether you are going through normal post-operative pain or FBBS, a conservative, non-surgical approach is the safest way to manage your pain.

Let’s take a look at some treatment options.

1. Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves meeting with a therapist 10 to 20 times. The therapist helps you focus on changing negative thoughts and feelings when you have back pain.

Positive thinking cannot stop the pain, but it can help to manage it.

2. Relaxation Techniques

Worrying about pain can make it worse. Chronic stress causes elevated stress hormones, muscle tension, and inflammation.

Relaxation techniques can lower the number of stress hormones in your body, relax muscles, calm the mind, and promote a sense of well-being.

Practicing relaxation techniques such as four-square breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, and hypnosis regularly can have long-term, positive results.

3. Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a therapy that uses a low voltage electrical current to relieve pain.

Doctors have proposed that the therapy relieves pain when nerves block the transmission of pain signals or raise the level of endorphins, the human body’s pain-killing chemical.

4. Pain Medication

Doctors often prescribe pain medication and recommend OTC pain medication to manage post-operative pain and ongoing pain.

As prescription opioid medication can be addictive, it’s necessary to have skilled pain doctors who can devise safe treatment strategies.

5. Steroid Injections

Many patients experience post-surgery pain from the swelling and inflammation at the surgery site. Steroid injections reduce this swelling and inflammation.

A single steroid injection procedure can provide pain relief for months.

6. Topical Therapies

Topical treatments can provide relief for post-operative surgical pain and ongoing back pain.

Applying dry or moist heat to the surgery site can decrease pain and allow temporary mobility.

Studies show moist heat application penetrates deeper and faster than dry heat, providing more temporary relief and functional movement.

Applying a cold compress or pack to the surgery site can relieve pain by reducing blood flow and inflammation during the initial, most intense healing phase.

 

Back pain relief in Houston, Dallas, and many other locations in Texas.

Perhaps they told you it was because of surgeon error or misdiagnosis.

Whatever the issue was, you are still in pain.

At Texas Pain Physicians, our board-certified pain management doctors are experts in well-established and innovative back pain treatment methods.

Contact us today at (972) 636-5727 to book your appointment.

 

*According to a 2020 study by The Journal of Orthopedic Research