If that ache in your back or neck has been around for a while, you may be looking for solutions to find relief. Will some basic at-home care be enough or will you need spine surgery to fully heal your back or neck and alleviate the pain?
Back and neck pain are among the most common reasons Americans seek medical attention.
“Many cases of back and neck pain can be treated at home with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice then heat when inflammation subsides,” says Dr. Andrew Castro, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine specialist at Beaufort Memorial. “However, when conservative treatments don’t help and you’re experiencing chronic pain, you may need other options to successfully manage it.”
Read More: Coping With Chronic Back Pain
Treating Back and Neck Pain Without Surgery
Strenuous workouts and spending too many hours sitting are common culprits behind aching backs and necks. In many cases, sudden or acute pain responds to rest and the at-home treatments mentioned above — taking over-the-counter pain relievers and applying ice or heat (use ice first, then shift to heat after two or three days). Those should help resolve your pain over a few days.
If basic care doesn’t help or your pain worsens, talk with your health care provider about what you’re experiencing, including the intensity of your pain, its specific location and how exactly it feels, for example, whether it’s a sharp pain or a burning sensation.
Your provider will conduct a physical exam and carefully review your symptoms. He or she may also order diagnostic testing, including imaging scans or blood tests, to identify the underlying cause of your pain, such as a herniated disc.
If testing reveals a significant structural or nerve-related problem, you may need surgery, but that’s typically the last course of action after trying less-invasive treatment options, such as:
- Oral, topical or injected medications for pain management or to relieve inflammation
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles that support the back
- Lifestyle changes to relieve pressure on the spine and encourage healthier body movements less likely to cause injury and pain
- Epidural or other targeted back injection, as prescribed by Dr. Castro, that can help temporize symptoms
You can also ask your provider about whether complementary (or alternative) therapies, such as acupuncture, electrical stimulation or chiropractic therapy, may help your chronic pain.
Read More: A Quick Fix for Lower Back Pain
When Spine Surgery Is Needed
After you’ve tried conservative treatments without experiencing relief, your provider may refer you to an orthopedic specialist to explore spine surgery.
“There are multiple types of spine surgery available to help treat back and neck pain, and the specific type you have will depend on the structural cause of your back pain,” Dr. Castro says.
For each back condition, there are multiple surgical options to treat specific spinal conditions.
Current trends in spinal surgery utilize minimally invasive techniques to enhance a speedy recovery and motion-sparing devices that prevent the need for spinal fusion. The most appropriate surgery is tailored to each patient, considering the presenting problem, symptoms, recovery time, age and preexisting medical problems the patient has which could impact surgery.
Spinal stenosis, back pain, leg/arm pain/numbness/tingling, instability, and fractures are all conditions that could be considered for surgical intervention if conservative management fails or is not an option. Every manner of current spinal surgery techniques are performed at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
Your surgeon can help you determine whether spine surgery is necessary and which type is most appropriate for your pain and other symptoms. The surgeon may also recommend surgery in conjunction with other treatments, such as physical therapy, to help you recover.
Dealing with persistent back or neck pain? Request an appointment with a spine specialist at Beaufort Memorial.
