Herniated Discs

Herniated Discs and Back Pain

Constant back pain is incredibly difficult to live with and can be caused by a variety of different factors. One of the most painful that you might have to face is a herniated disc. Your vertebrae, or the bones that are in your spine, have cushiony material between each of them which are known as discs. These discs keep your spine flexible and also act as a shock absorber for any activity you might engage in. When one of these discs slips out of place or is damaged, this is what is known as a herniated disc. You may have also heard of this referred to as a “slipped disc.”

A herniated disc can happen in any portion of your spine, but frequently is a problem that occurs in the lower back. Though this can happen just from the natural wear and tear you put on your back as you age, injury and trauma can also cause one of your discs to herniate. When this occurs, it can press on one of your spinal nerves causing acute pain, numbness and further weakening of the area of the spine.

Medication is commonly prescribed to help deal with the pain associated with a herniated disc. However, while muscle relaxers and pain treatments can help to get you started on dealing with your herniated disc, medication alone cannot offer a permanent cure. In order to get the maximum relief from an issue such as this, it’s important to embrace a more integrated approach that brings in physiotherapy and other elements to help strengthen the muscles surrounding the issue. Over-reliance on pain medication, particularly opioid-based medications, can have serious repercussions. By visiting a back pain specialist clinic such as Integrated Spine & Sports, the professionals there can help individually tailor a program to help both manage your symptoms and work on your recovery.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/herniated-disc-directory

Our approach to treating back pain

By visiting a back pain specialist clinic such as Integrated Spine & Sports, the professionals there can help individually tailor a program to help both manage your symptoms and work on your recovery.

We offer non-surgical options for the treatment of injuries and medical conditions affecting the back, with an integrative approach that may include:

Back Pain Specialists

Our back pain specialists in Manhattan create custom treatments designed to meet the needs of people suffering from acute pain due to injury, as well as those experiencing chronic conditions affecting the muscles, discs, soft tissue and nerves within the back, cervical spine, and neck.

Our integrative team, consisting of a board-certified physiatrist, chiropractors, and physical therapists, offers comprehensive treatment for acute and chronic back pain treatment in NYC.

Back Pain FAQs

Does Coronavirus (COVID-19) cause back pain?2022-09-22T13:58:32+00:00

Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 are “aches and pains”. Some patients do experience back pain, especially in the lower back. In some cases, the pain is subtle but constant. In others, it is an intense, pulsating pain, which can radiate down to the legs. If the back pain persists, consult your doctor.

How should I sleep with back pain?2022-09-22T13:58:38+00:00

Generally, the best position to sleep is on your back. Sleeping on one’s back ensures that the spine is in a neutral position, which can help with back pain. You can also put a pillow under your knees, legs, and/or lower back to support the natural curve of the spine. This can minimize lumbar pressure and relieve back pain.

What can I do to relieve my back pain?2022-09-22T13:58:54+00:00

If doing gentle back stretches doesn’t do the trick, then try strengthening your core so your spine isn’t struggling to stay upright. Heat therapy and cold therapy can also work well for pain relief. If your back pain is a result of poor posture or a bad workstation setup, make the necessary changes to avoid back pain in the future.

How do I know if my back pain is serious?2022-09-22T13:59:00+00:00

Your back pain is likely serious if it occurs with any of the following symptoms: numbness in lower body, loss of bladder/bowel control, fever, unexplained weight loss, swelling. In such cases, please consult a physiatrist immediately.

How long does back pain last?2022-09-22T13:59:06+00:00

Short-term (or acute) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. This is often the case with back pain, and patients usually recover without medical treatment. Sometimes, it lasts for 12 weeks or longer. This is called chronic back pain, and it can take a while to go away. Medical treatment often helps relieve chronic backpain, so we recommend consulting a physiatrist.

Does acupuncture cure lower back pain?2022-09-22T13:59:18+00:00

Acupuncture provides short-term relief for chronic back pain. Back pain is actually the number 1 reported reason people seek acupuncture. By stimulating the various acupuncture points associated with back pain, parts of the nervous system are also stimulated, which can help provide pain relief.

We provide our patients with an integrated and holistic team approach to getting better.

We provide our patients with an integrated and holistic team approach to getting better.

Conditions Treated

We treat individuals suffering from a variety of acute injuries as well as chronic conditions.

Services & Treatments

Our focus is on promoting healing, restoring function and alleviating pain for patients.

Book an Appointment

We offer two convenient locations for patients: the Upper West Side or Madison Avenue.

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