Looking for non-surgical options for back and neck pain in the Panama City area can be difficult. The Bay County area often does not have the services available that you can find in the larger cities. This article will break down several options to consider that can be found in this area. Each can be used separately, but are sometimes used together to give the patient as many options as possible before resorting to surgical approaches.
Chiropractic adjustments refer to a chiropractor applying a specific force to vertebrae in the spine that may be moving abnormally or out of position relative to adjacent segments. This force must be directed specifically to correct the misalignment or is it just random manipulation or so called “popping a joint”. I often demonstrate the difference by saying that it is similar to the thermostat in your house. To correct the temperature when it’s hot, you need to specifically set the thermostat to the new temperature you want, not just push the bar all the way to the left. Chiropractic adjustments are one of the most common treatments for back, neck, leg, or arm pain. Proper chiropractic treatments are performed specifically for each patient to reduce the misaligned or abnormally functioning vertebra, resulting in greater range of motion, less nerve irritability and pain, and improved function. Often times, a patient will receive the same fit each time they are in an office until correction is achieved, but rarely will two different patients get the exact same fit.
Decompression therapy is another form of non-surgical treatment for bulging and herniated discs and helps doctors treat lower back (lumbar) pain and neck pain. The DRX9000C is an example of a decompression table that provides spinal decompression. Many tables that offer decompression are not true decompression tables, so be sure to choose wisely here. Decompression table treatment provides a unique non-surgical treatment for pain and disability management for patients suffering from herniated and bulging discs and low back pain and sciatica. A well-designed system will apply spinal decompressive forces to areas of the spine that are compressed or degenerated. The decompression area must be specific to the treated area to be effective. The system must also be able to “trick” the muscles protecting the area to gain internal negative pressure. Decompression treatment should definitely be considered if you have a confirmed disc problem and if you are facing surgery for any of the following conditions, herniated disc, bulging or bulging intervertebral discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica.
Pain control focuses on the use of interventional techniques, such as facet joint injections and nerve root blocks, to provide immediate pain relief so that physiotherapy and lifestyle changes can be utilized. for long-term relief. Pain management should be performed by a certified pain management physician. These procedures can be done in the office or can sometimes be done at local surgical centers when needed. In Panama City, look for an office that provides a full service suite for these procedures so you can quickly schedule your appointments in case you need quick pain relief from an insult or injury. Reducing pain through injections can make patients’ results come faster due to decreased spasms and inflammation in some cases. The injections can be used with decompression to provide immediate pain relief followed by adequate healing of the underlying problem.
Physical Therapy can be passive or active and is designed for the needs of each patient at the time of the clinical study. Passive therapies include interferential therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and others. Cold lasers can be used to relieve pain and to aid in the healing of traumatized tissue.
Supervised exercises in office. Many times, the overlooked area in spinal care is the core muscles around the spine. If these muscles that control our movement and balance are left out of the clinical picture, the problem will reappear at a later date. The use of Swiss balls and balance boards can help many patients continue to experience relief long after treatment and prevent recurrence. Doctors may prescribe various cardiovascular, stretching, and strengthening exercises to decrease back pain, increase strength, and help restore range of motion. Doctors may prescribe exercises that strengthen underactive muscles and/or weaken overactive muscles with the goal of achieving muscle balance and a balanced frame. Doctors may also have patients do exercises that strengthen weak, underactive muscles in the trunk and pelvis, and exercises that stretch tight, overactive muscles.
Massage therapy can be used separately and in combination with other treatment modalities to help stretch tissue and reduce spasms, as well as promote relaxation and decrease scar and fibrous tissue formation after injury.
Acupuncture in some cases can be beneficial, but currently there are few resources here in Panama City where the practitioner is a full time acupuncturist. But this service can be of great clinical value in some cases.
These are some of the non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques that you can find right here in Panama City, FL and if you are seeking services elsewhere, try to remember these options.