How Custom Orthotics Help Plantar Fasciitis Pain
When heel pain prevents you from being active, it’s time to consider the benefits of custom orthotics. Learn how this noninvasive treatment can relieve pain and keep it from coming back.
What to Do About Chronic Lower Back Pain
When you can’t do anything because of chronic lower back pain, don’t lose hope. At New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine, experienced pain specialist Jose De La Torre, MD, offers several solutions to help treat and prevent pain in your lower back.
Why your lower back hurts so much
An occasional pain in your lower back may be the result of overuse of your muscles. This type of acute pain affects nearly everyone at some point in life.
However, if you notice you’re experiencing chronic back pain that’s getting worse even with home care or you have pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks, it may be because of an underlying condition like:
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Osteoporosis
- Degenerative disc disease
As these conditions worsen, you may notice your pain becomes more severe, and eventually, you may find it difficult to move. You may even find yourself feeling depressed and feeling like you no longer have a good quality of life.
Before you end up with a long-term disability, it’s important you seek help from a specialist like Dr. De La Torre, who can confirm your diagnosis and get you started on the right treatment.
Advanced medical solutions for chronic lower back pain
Through a treatment plan customized to your specific needs and medical history, Dr. De La Torre focuses on relieving your existing pain and helping you reduce your risk for complications down the line.
Often, treatment begins with topical ointments that help reduce inflammation in your lower back and lessen pain. You may also benefit from over-the-counter or prescription medications to relax muscles and ease nerve-related pain.
When your pain is moderate-to-severe, injectable medications can be useful in fighting inflammation and blocking signals from your nerves that travel to the brain. These injections deliver medications directly into the structure of your lower back to relieve your pain and make it easier to move.
Dr. De La Torre is also experienced in in-office anesthesia treatments that effectively treat neuropathic disorders like fibromyalgia and other conditions that affect your nerves.
What you can do to reduce your risk for chronic lower back pain
One of the biggest things you can do for yourself is to stay active. If existing pain makes it too difficult for you to get up and move, Dr. De La Torre works with you to get your pain under control.
Once you’re pain-free, it’s important that you make necessary lifestyle changes to support your spine health. These changes may include:
Improving diet
Eating fresh, healthy foods ensures you maintain a healthy weight to reduce unnecessary pressure on your lower spine. Eliminating processed, sugary foods can also reduce inflammation in your body to prevent pain related to sciatica and other nerve compression conditions.
Exercising daily
Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day helps keep your weight under control and your muscles flexible. Exercise is also a great way to alleviate stress, keep your heart pumping, and ensure optimal blood circulation.
Schedule a massage
Massages are a great way to release tension in your muscles and improve your blood circulation. Regular therapeutic massages help you stay mobile and flexible and can ease existing pain and inflammation.
Practice good posture
By staying aware of your posture, you can significantly reduce excess strain on the muscles supporting your spine. Core-strengthening exercises are also a great way to improve your posture and keep your spine in alignment.
If you’re no longer able to stay active because of chronic lower back pain, don’t delay scheduling an appointment with Dr. De La Torre. You can book an appointment online or by calling the New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine office nearest you today.
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