Back pain is a common problem that patients complain about in a physician’s office even when seeking treatment for other medical issues. According to the Health Policy Institute at Georgetown University, almost 65 million Americans have reported experiencing back pain in recent times. Sixteen million adults suffer from chronic back pain, which inhibits their everyday activities. New Jersey epidural injections can help you manage chronic back pain so it does not interfere with your sports career.
Below are the triggers for chronic back pain:
Spinal stenosis
This medical condition occurs when the spaces between the spine narrow, thus exerting undue pressure on the spinal cord. Patients with spinal stenosis may experience tingling in the arms and numbness in the neck to varying degrees. Some people are not presented with any symptoms at all until things escalate. Unfortunately, there is no reliable cure for spinal stenosis, but regular exercises can strengthen affected muscles and reduce pain.
Herniated Disc
A bulged or ruptured disc is a splinter of the disc nucleus that becomes edged out of the annulus into the spinal canal when wear and tear are in the annulus. The spinal canal cannot adequately hold the spinal nerve and the dislocated herniated disc, so the latter presses on spinal nerves. Pain ensues, and it may range from mild to severe over time.
Myofascial pain syndrome
In this disorder, exerting pressure on sensitive muscles leads to referred pain in other parts of the body. Myofascial pain syndrome can result from repeated injury or overusing muscles, such as during strenuous physical activity.
Treatment for chronic back pain
Regardless of the source of back pain, you will need to see a physician or back specialist to help you manage the condition. Many doctors recommend physical therapy like strengthening the core, improving posture, aerobic exercises, and lifestyle changes such as dieting and quitting smoking. If pain persists, you are eligible for epidural steroid injections (ESI) as follows:
- When you arrive at the doctor’s office, they will ask you to change into a gown for comfort.
- Lie face down on an x-ray table with a pillow supporting your belly area. Some patients are more comfortable sitting upright or lying on their side.
III. The attending nurse will identify the needle injection point and proceed to cleanse. The doctor may give you drugs to promote relaxation and numbing of the injection point.
- The doctor will use an X-ray machine to guide the needle to the precise spot in your lower back, followed by injecting steroid and numbing medicine. The medicine should reduce inflammation and pressure on the larger nerves surrounding the spine, and also alleviate pain.
- Since the area is numb before the injection, you will only feel a bit of pressure, which is not necessarily painful. Even if you feel some discomfort, you must remain still so the physician won’t miss the injection site.
- Once the procedure is over, the physician will keep you under observation for roughly twenty minutes before releasing you.
Athletes should take back pain seriously from the onset. Your physician will examine your back to understand the causes of this affliction, and if their diagnostic methods do not work, they will refer you to a back pain specialist.
