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eLearning Series:
Relieve My Back Pain NOW!
( 23 pages )
Back
Pain Relief: Where To Go
Where To
Go For Pain Relief
Where to go for
a back pain diagnosis can include your family
doctor, the emergency
room,
an orthopedic
surgeon, a naturopathic specialist, a rheumatologist,
an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, a chiropractor,
an acupuncturist, a massage therapist,
an osteopath and a chronic pain
heath care provider. And here is a brief
overview of each.
FAMILY
DOCTOR This is a popular beginning point for
many seeking back pain relief.
Although family
doctors
generally
do not have extensive orthopedic backgrounds
nor sufficient time to schedule complete
histories and examinations
during regular hectic weekdays, they
are often able to do preliminary
testing and assessment. Their blood tests
and general
knowledge of your health and basic back
care can help them point
you to further resources and places for
following up, especially if they deem
the case an emergency.
And
hopefully your
family
doctor will be at the center or helm
of your pain relief management so that all
testing,
treatments, office
visits, etc. are coordinated
and not left to chance, and also so that
patient care is optimized.
EMERGENCY
ROOM When a family or general doctor is not
available, some symptoms
may warrant
an emergency room
visit. The following
list of symptoms, though not limited
to these, are what most often sends people to
the emergency
room
for back
pain
relief:
a major
injury or trauma, history of osteoporosis,
steroid medications or cancer, severe
pain, fever, aggressive
or quick weight
loss for no known reason. The degree
of suggested seriousness in
the symptoms may determine how quickly
a person is seen in the emergency room,
with
the more
serious cases seen
quicker.
Emergency room
procedures can involve history and examination assessments
and a series
of blood, urine and other
tests. Additionally, the emergency
room
physician may recommend a consultation
with a specialist while you are there.
Or they may recommend you to your
family doctor or other
treatment
facility for follow
up, depending upon their results.
ORTHOPEDIC
SURGEON Orthopedic medicine, in a nutshell,
deals with the prevention or correction of injuries
or disorders
of the skeletal
system
and associated
muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. Surgeons
in this field offer treatment for fractures, strains,
arthritis,
dislocations
and other
related problems
throughout the entire body. Their treatments
vary
with surgery and non-surgical health care; structure
repair,
joint replacement,
arthroscopy
or the examination
and possible treatment of the interior of a joint,
like the knee, using a type of endoscope inserted
into the
joint through
a small
incision.
Likewise, they
coordinate healing activities during healing and
pain relief stages. Note that some orthopedic surgeons
specialize
in the area of back
pain relief,
and a specialist
based in spinal practice may be advisable.
NATUROPATHIC
SPECIALIST Naturopathic medicine refers to
natural substances or remedies like a massage
as treatments.
Doctors
in this
field are educated
in nutrition and herbal, botanical, homeopathic
and Chinese medicines (including
acupuncture). They may also treat with hands-on
procedures and lifestyle consultations
where
preventative measures are a focus. These specialists
may refer you to your family doctor and may also
coordinate healthcare activities before,
during
and after your back pain episode for overall
improved wellness.
Often
for back pain relief, they may advise natural
supplements like
herbal medicines
or minerals
along with dietary modifications. Physical
therapy, acupuncture or message, combined with
stress management
and relaxation
therapy may be
added in for
good measure.
RHEUMATOLOGIST
A rheumatologist deals with an array of pathological
conditions like arthritis
related
to the tendons,
muscles,
joints, nerves or bones,
when seeking aid for discomfort and disability.
Although some may perform arthroscopy,
most do not do surgery. For back pain relief,
they
may suggest medications, occupational or injection
therapy
and other
medical treatment to
determine cause and pain relief.
OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPIST An occupational therapist emphasizes
correct ergonomics or design factors,
posture and safety
practices both
at the workplace and
in the home environment. These therapists
educate patients about daily life activities
and can help with adjusting to health devices
for mobility and operation. Adjusting to
using crutches,
a back
brace, a cane
and other lifestyle
changes are benefits
of occupational therapy.
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Registered therapists practice physiotherapy and
focus on educating and
instructing patients about
their pain - both
in book
learning and physical understanding, like
with posture and movement modifications.
Their
shared knowledge helps patients overcome
fear and anxiety and better manage
their treatment programs. Doctors often
refer patients to physiotherapists for extended
learning, particularly
if there
is difficulty
in diagnosing the cause and / or treatment
for pain. Additionally, physiotherapists
help with
the development and managing of their healthcare
programs, activities
and preventive care instruction. For example,
they may teach about using heat
or ice along
with a varied range of motions for pain
relief.
CHIROPRACTOR
In a nutshell, chiropractors
diagnose spine, joint and muscle problems
with their hands.
Their treatment
is
hands-on as
well. For
back pain relief, they use mobilizations
and manipulations in manual spinal movements,
some known as cracking the back into
place. Although there is no scientific
evidence
to
support or negate
chiropractic treatment,
most generally
work with the relief of acute lower back
pain. Besides in-office treatments,
many
provide exercise and preventative strategies
for follow up.
ACUPUNCTURIST
Acupuncture, relating to Chinese medical practice,
is the piercing
of specific
areas of the
body with fine needles.
The reasons
for
acupuncture
are threefold: for therapeutic purposes,
to relieve pain, or for regional anesthesia.
It
is mainly
used for musculoskeletal
pain, lower back
pain and other related
relief.
MASSAGE
THERAPIST Massage therapy incorporates hands-on
handling or manipulation of
body tissues, especially
helpful for lower
back pain relief.
The reasons
for massage vary: for relief from
pain
and muscle spasms associated with
it, for relaxation, for stretching, improved
circulation
and metabolism.
OSTEOPATH
Osteopaths
use Osteopathic Manual Medicine (OMM) to practice
medicine based
on the theory
that conditions in the musculoskeletal
system affect other
body parts. These conditions
cause disorders that they believe can hopefully
be corrected
by manipulative
techniques
combined
with
traditional
medical,
pharmacological, surgical and other
therapeutic strategies. Generally
within 10 to 14
days osteopathy relieves
lower back
pain. But
there is no evidence
to suggest osteopathy as a preventative
treatment long-term.
CHRONIC
PAIN SPECIALIST A chronic pain specialist is
for rare cases and work
in teams. He or
she generally manages
pain relief
treatments
with
psychiatrists, social workers
and other medical and counseling
healthcare providers.
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