Back pain affects up to 80% of all Americans at some point in their lives. If your back causes issues in your daily life, it’s time to talk solutions at Castle Hills Family Practice. The experienced group of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants understands the damaging effects of back pain, and they’re ready to help in two offices in the San Antonio, Texas, area. You don’t have to live with back pain — call the office nearest you or schedule your appointment online now.
Because back pain is so common, many people assume that it’s just something they have to endure until it gets better. Unfortunately, for some people, back pain doesn’t improve. For others, it gets worse. You need medical care if you have:
If your back pain happens alongside bowel or urinary issues, severe stomach pain, an unexplained fever, or sudden loss of feeling, seek emergency medical care immediately. Similarly, back pain after any catastrophic accident, like a car wreck, requires immediate emergency care.
Back pain may occur because of:
Many causes of back pain are age related. For example, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis-related fractures are all more common in older adults. But, injury, trauma, and overuse can cause back pain at any age.
Back pain treatment usually starts with physical therapy, habit changes, and short-term medication. If you struggle with your weight, it’s important to know that extra weight stresses your spine and could keep you from healing. Castle Hills Family Practice can help you with a medical weight loss program, which also boasts bodywide health advantages.
If your back pain continues, a minimally invasive procedure, like cortisone injections, could be a good way to manage pain. While these injections don’t yield permanent relief, they can decrease inflammation and control pain for as long as a few months. During that time, you can continue with nonsurgical approaches, like physical therapy, to encourage healing in your back.
Surgery is a last resort for back pain that doesn’t improve with more conservative treatments. Generally, surgery is only used to treat structural issues that can’t heal on their own.
After you feel better, Castle Hills Family Practice provides preventive care to help you avoid another bout with back pain. Learning some new tips and tricks like improving your posture, wearing back support at work, and changing your diet can all help you stay pain-free.
Call the Castle Hills Family Practice office nearest you or book your appointment online now.