Did you know that more than 100 million people in America suffer from chronic back pain? For some, pain tends to persist and becomes a lifelong issue. Symptoms such as shooting pain can prevent you from sleeping at night and can affect mobility, keeping you from doing the things you enjoy.
Chronic pain doesn’t have to mean the end of the world. you can get your life back on track with treatments that are right for you. It’s important to explore all available options to find treatments that are most suitable for you.
Here Are Some Tips that Will Help You with Pain Management:
1. Try Deep Breathing or Meditation
Before we dive into the medical treatment options, it’s important to understand that there are certain exercises that you can practice to ease the pain. Deep breathing and meditation are effective techniques that can help your body relax, in turn reducing the pain intensity. During this time focus all your attention on every inhale and exhale, keeping pain out of your mind and focusing on positive thoughts.
All you need is a peaceful, quiet space and then relax in a comfortable position. Remember, there should be no additional stress on your spine. If you have difficulty in sitting down, you can do this while standing, or even while lying in bed. You’ll find a variety of guided meditations online, to help you know what to do.
Take deep breaths in and out and focus on the present moment. Use candles or aromatherapy to elevate your experience. This may not get rid of your pain altogether but will help your body and mind to relax and manage the pain.
2. Maintain a Healthy Diet
You might wonder what a diet has to do with pain? Well, it can help with your digestive process, reduce heart disease risk, keep weight under control, and improve blood sugar levels. All of these are important factors that contribute to the intensity of your pain.
For example, if you’ve reduced your daily exercise, there’s a high chance of weight gain. This added weight will put more strain on your joints and muscles. This is why we recommend eating a low-fat, low-sodium diet. Add plenty of fruits and vegetables; whole-grain bread, low-fat cheese, and other nutritious dairy products, all in proper proportions. Proper nutrition can help keep you feeling healthy on the inside and improve your state of mind so you can treat your pain with a positive outlook.
3. Keep Track of Your Pain
If you do visit a specialist, they need to know every detail about the pain you’re experiencing. Keep a diary of your pain levels each day to track the intensity over time. You can rate it on a 1 to 10 pain scale, and notice if it changes when you do certain tasks like sitting or lying down flat. This log will help the doctor understand your chronic pain better and therefore suggest the most suitable treatment solution.
Minimally Invasive Treatment Solutions:
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, here are some minimally invasive treatment options. We’ve helped countless patients in Nevada with chronic pain and have a successful track record. Go to https://www.sierraneurosurgery.com/patient-testimonials-and-stories/ to read our real, up-to-date patient reviews.
1. Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
This is a process in which electrical impulses are used to reduce chronic pain in your back, legs, and arms. These electrical impulses prevent pain signals from being received by the brain.
The process begins by anesthetizing the injection site, then an insulated wire lead is inserted through an epidural needle, or a small incision. Electrodes then send a mild electric current to your spinal cord. SCS will stimulate the nerves in the area where you feel pain.
The electrical pulses mask the signals that reach the brain, reducing chronic pain. The source of pain won’t be eliminated, it changes how your brain perceives the pain. The amount of pain reduced will differ from patient to patient.
2. Trigger Point Injections
Another pain reduction option is trigger point injections. This helps soothe pain, especially in the lower back. Over time, knots tend to form in your muscles, which are called “trigger points”. This usually forms when your muscles don’t relax. These knots can sometimes be felt if you rub or massage the area. An anesthetic or steroid is injected into these trigger points to ease the pain. This procedure can be done in just a few minutes. Your Sierra Neurosurgery Group doctor can recommend the number of injections needed depending on the intensity of your pain.
3. Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection
Steroids can reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by spinal conditions present. You will be instructed to lie face down with a cushion under your stomach which will cause your back muscles to flex. This position will also open up your spine so the surgeon can easily access the epidural space. Next, a local anesthetic will be used to numb the area. Then a needle will be injected into this area towards the epidural space. A fluoroscope will be used to confirm the right location. Once the needle tip is placed correctly, a steroid mix will be injected into the epidural space. Some people may have to repeat this procedure up to three times to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Experienced Pain Specialists in Reno, Nevada
Now that you’ve learned about possible treatment options, it’s time to consult with an expert about your unique condition. Every patient has a different level of pain. This is why we offer customized treatment plans to ensure safe and beneficial results.
If you’re looking for pain management doctors nearby, look no further than Sierra Neurosurgery Group. We have a team of experienced pain specialists in Reno that perform several minimally invasive treatments. . If you have any chronic pain, we’re your go-to for pain relief in Carson City, Reno, and Sparks. For more details, call us at 775-323-2080.