Make Pain a Thing of the Past – Lower Back Pain Relief – Physician Partners of America

Tag Archive for: Lower Back Pain Relief

Your Sleeping Position Could be the Cause of your Back Pain

Did you know your sleeping position could have a negative effect on your lower back?

Stress or strain from bad posture, awkward sleeping positions, and other lifestyle habits are a couple of the leading factors of lower back pain. While there are sleeping positions that should be avoided, there are some sleeping positions that can help relieve tension within the lower back area.

 

1. Sleep on your back in a reclined position

This position is beneficial for your back because the reclining position creates a bend between your torso and legs, therefore, taking pressure off of your spine. A good way to set this up is either with an adjustable bed, or putting pillows in strategic places that feel good to you, such as under the back of your knees and your feet.

 

2. Sleep in the fetal position

Although you have to switch sides once in a while to prevent any imbalances, this position is great, especially for someone with a herniated disc.

Why specifically for people with herniated discs you might ask? Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. Your discs are jellylike substance which are in-between some of the vertebra which allows your spine to move around and bend.

If a disk between two vertebrae starts slipping out of place, it can irritate the surrounding nerves and cause the herniated disk.

 

3. Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees

Sleeping on your side will not relieve back pain. The pillow is what helps to align your hips, pelvis, and spine, therefore alleviating stress and pressure within your back.

Although these sleep positions might reduce lower back pain, if you are experiencing chronic pain, our doctors at Physician Partners of America are here to help. Please call us today to schedule a same-day appointment, so you do not have to be in pain any longer 888 616-5110.

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PPOA Expands Use of Laser Procedures

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Laser procedures speed recovery for most patients

In its mission to combat the opioid crisis and follow best practices in medicine, Physician Partners of America is pleased to announce the widespread use of laser spine techniques.

PPOA pain management physicians are in the process of being trained in the use of the Holmium YAG laser to perform neck and back pain procedures. The laser is used to ablate pain-causing nerves, as well as tissue that is pressing on nerves.

“It’s better therapy, better efficacy, and the safety is unparalleled,” says Abraham Rivera, M.D., PPOA’s chief medical officer. “It’s a new set of skills that many physicians do not have.”

The company has invested in training and equipment for each of its pain management physicians.

Are laser procedures the best treatment for chronic pain?

The laser is the next step on the continuum of cutting-edge medicine, and Physician Partners of America has always focused on the latest developments in interventional pain management. That subspecialty of pain medicine focuses on treating pain at its source, rather than masking it with medication.

Interventional pain management encompasses a less-is-more approach:

  • Noninvasive techniques, such as injections and nerve blocks
  • Regenerative medicine, such as stem cell therapy and PRP

Patients who are ready for the next level of treatment can consider other approaches PPOA offers:

  • Minimally invasive surgical techniques, with incisions of less than one inch, and small instruments
  • Endoscopic procedures, which use a series of narrow, camera-enabled tubes through which the surgeon works

The laser can be used in any type of minimally invasive procedure.

What are laser spine procedures?

The laser procedures performed by PPOA pain management physicians require an incision barely wider than a needle.

The laser allows for precise targeting of nerves and tissue, quicker healing through muscle-sparing techniques, and a reduced chance of bleeding and infection. Patients walk out the same day and can get back to work or activities in days or weeks instead of months. It is a revolutionary instrument that PPOA uses to stay at the forefront of medical technology.

“It sets us apart from the competition,” says Dr. Rivera. “It’s not a procedure we make money on. That’s not the end result or purpose of it, but it’s something we believe gives patients much better results.”

Many patients choose PPOA for additional reasons: it accepts Medicare and most insurance, and has a long history of performing interventional techniques as an effective alternative to opioids. Services are available throughout Florida and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Initial appointments can be made the same-day patients call and transportation is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Causes and Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

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Lower Back Pain Relief : Millions of people suffer from lower back pain. In fact, according to the American Chiropractic Association, it is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is the second leading cause of missed work. Pain the lower back, or lumbar spine, can take a variety of forms. Acute, or short-term pain, may arise due to a ligament sprain, muscle strain, or overexertion. This type of back pain will usually subside after a few days or weeks with treatments like rest, stretching, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

However, chronic low back pain can persist for weeks, months, or years. This type of long-term pain is usually due to some type of degenerative condition such as degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, herniated disc, ankylosing spondylitis, bone spurs, or chronic pain syndromes. Inflammation or degeneration of the spine can exert pressure on nerve roots in the spinal canal and cause the following symptoms:

  • Radiating pain that begins in the lower back and travels down through the hips, buttocks, and legs
  • Muscle weakness or spasms in the lower extremities
  • Tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in the lower back, legs, and feet

Anatomical problems such as bone spurs, herniated discs, and inflamed vertebral joints will usually press on the spinal nerve root on one side of the spine, which means that symptoms are usually unilateral (only affecting one side).

Getting a Lower Back Pain Diagnosis

Several different types of lower back conditions can give rise to similar symptoms, though each disorder should be treated differently. It is extremely important to get a diagnosis for your lower back pain from a medical professional. A doctor will likely perform a thorough physical exam, ask you about your symptoms, and review your medical history. Imaging exams such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan may also be necessary to pinpoint the exact cause of your lower back pain. While some spine conditions respond to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, low-impact exercise, and chiropractic work, severe lower back pain may require more targeted pain management techniques.

Lower Back Pain Relief in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Some people think that chronic lower back pain is a fact of life. However, when lumbar spine discomfort affects your quality of living, it’s time to seek treatment. At Texas Pain Relief Group, we offer a variety of nonsurgical pain management therapies for the lower back:

  • Facet joint injections
  • Lumbar epidural steroid injections
  • Lumbar sympathetic nerve blocks
  • Spinal cord stimulation
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

If you’re ready to take the first step toward lasting pain relief, contact Texas Pain Relief Group to find out what lower back treatments may be right for you.

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