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What Should I Do If I Think I Have Back Pain?

Millions of people ask themselves the same question each day: What should I do if I think I have back pain? Your initial course of action should be to write down notes about your symptoms, detailing the location, frequency, and severity of your discomfort. Next, make an appointment with your primary care physician. He or she will review your medical history, perform a physical exam, and will likely order medical imaging tests to try and pinpoint the source of your pain.

Conservative Treatment Options

If your physician confirms a diagnosis of a degenerative spine condition, such as a herniated disc, bulging disc, bone spurs, spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, or spondylolisthesis, he or she may prescribe a regimen of conservative treatments, including:

• Hot and cold compresses, also called cutaneous stimulation
• Analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Low-impact exercises or physical therapy
• Behavior modification
• Alternative treatments like yoga, massage, or acupuncture
• Selective corticosteroid nerve block injections

Minimally Invasive Alternatives

If conservative treatment options prove ineffective and your doctor suggests that you consider spine surgery for your back and neck pain, keep in mind that there are alternatives. Laser Spine Institute offers minimally invasive procedures that utilize state-of-the-art endoscopic technology. This means that we can safely and effectively address the source of your pain, without the risks and lengthy recuperation that accompany an open spine surgery. Contact Laser Spine Institute today for more information, or for a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.