Moving Forward With Spine Pain In Asheboro Nc
The spine is what keeps us upright and moving forward
, but sometimes spine pain has us visiting our orthopedic doctors in Asheboro NC. Spine pain can be extremely debilitating, and is most commonly felt in our lower back region.
Anatomy of the spine
Your spine is made up of small bones, called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another. Muscles, ligaments, nerves, and disks separating the vertebrae, are additional parts of your spine.
The spinal cord and related nerves travel through the spinal canal carrying messages between your brain and muscles. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord through openings in the vertebrae. Muscles and ligaments support and stabilize your spine and upper body. Strong ligaments connect the vertebrae and help keep your spinal column in correct position.
When you walk or run, the disks act as shock absorbers and prevent the vertebrae from bumping against one another. The disks between your vertebrae are flat and round, and about a half inch thick. They are made up of a tough, flexible outer ring and the soft, jelly-like center which gives the disk its shock-absorbing capabilities. Our spines function with all its parts working in concert. If one or more parts of the spine is injured or damaged, spine pain ensues.
Treatment for spine pain
In general, treatment in Asheboro, NC, for low back and other spine pain falls into one of three categories: medications, physical medicine, and surgery.
Medications
Several medications may be used to help relieve your spine pain. Aspirin or acetaminophen can relieve pain with few side effects. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen reduce pain and swelling. Narcotic pain medications, such as codeine or morphine, may help. Steroids, taken either orally or injected into your spine, deliver a high dose of anti-inflammatory medicine.
Physical medicine
Low back pain can be disabling. Medications combined with therapeutic treatments often relieve spine pain enough for you to do all the things you want to do. Physical therapy often combines stretching, weight lifting, and cardiovascular exercises with the use of heat, ice, massage, ultrasound and other pain relieving modalities. Exercising to restore motion and strength to your lower back can be very helpful in relieving spine pain.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery for low back pain is considered only when nonsurgical treatment options have failed. It is best to try nonsurgical options for six months to a year before considering surgery. More common spinal surgeries include spinal fusion, disc replacement, but not all patients are candidates for spinal surgery.
Spine pain part of aging process
As we age, our spines age with us. Aging causes degenerative changes in the spine. These changes can start in our 30s, or even younger, and can make us prone to back pain, especially if we overdo our activities. Aging, however, does not have to keep us from leading productive and relatively pain-free lives.
Prevention
It may not be possible to prevent spine pain, and try as we might, we cannot avoid the normal wear and tear on our spines that goes along with aging. But there are things we can do to lessen the impact of back pain. Having a healthy lifestyle is a good start.
Combining activities like walking or swimming with specific exercises can keep the muscles in your back and abdomen strong and flexible. Be sure to lift heavy items with your legs, not your back. Do not bend over to pick something up. Keep your back straight and bend at your knees. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts added stress on your lower back and spine. Avoid smoking. Both the smoke and the nicotine cause your spine to age faster than normal. Good posture is important to avoiding future problems. Professionals can teach you how to safely stand, sit, and lift.
If spine pain is keeping you from enjoying your life to the fullest, take heart, and contact the professionals in Asheboro today. With proper conditioning, physical therapy and the right treatment, your spine can once again keep you upright and moving forward.
by: Shirley G. Dudley
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