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Category Archives: Back Pain

Poor Posture and Pain

Posted on September 27, 2024 - 12:00 pm by

Poor posture often results from occupational activities that involve spending substantial amounts of time in an awkward position, or doing a repetitive motion without taking breaks. These activities tend to cause musculoskeletal complications, such as skeletal alignment problems and uneven muscle development, which in time lead to poor posture. 

Poor posture is a typical cause for neck, shoulder and back pain. Muscles in these body regions tend to tense up and compress the surrounding nerves, especially in occupations that involve a lot of standing, sitting, or using of a computer. Poor posture and the resulting pain are typically treated with a combination of workplace ergonomics, lifestyle changes and medications.

Improving ergonomics is one of the key methods to reduce and prevent posture problems in the workplace. Ergonomics aims to reduce stress and pain caused by bad posture, repeated motions, and overuse of muscles. Improving ergonomics can include anything from using a back support or a proper office chair, to taking frequent breaks and learning to keep your body in proper alignment when working. Taking frequent breaks and stretching your muscles is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to prevent poor posture and the pain associated with it. Allowing your muscles to relax and stretch regularly can reduce muscle tension and imbalance.

Certain lifestyle changes can also help reduce or revise posture problems. Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles and prevent the poor alignment that results from imbalanced and overused muscles. Stretching helps return your muscles to their proper length, reduce muscle tension, and prevent nerve compression.

Anti-inflammatory pain medications are another option for managing the pain caused by poor posture. However, pain medications don’t treat the underlying condition that causes poor posture. Thus, medications should only be used as a temporary solution to reduce pain.

If you suffer from chronic pain and posture problems, it is essential you seek professional help before the problem becomes too debilitating. The earlier you intervene and correct the factors that cause poor posture, the better chance you have for a full recovery.

*DISCLAIMER: These are not medical diagnoses or suggestions for any specific individuals.  They are an overview of various conditions, treatments and topics discussed by New York Pain Management Group.  If you would like to discuss your symptoms in greater detail, do not hesitate to contact the New York Pain Management Group. To learn more about treatment options for this and other pain conditions, contact us today at www.nopainny.com or call at 1-888-789-NOPAIN! We will be happy to assist you.

Minimally Invasive Treatments for Back Pain

Posted on July 30, 2024 - 1:31 pm by

Are you ready to be pain free?

Back pain is a common ailment that affects millions of people in New York City. Traditional open surgeries for back pain can be invasive and require long recovery periods. However, advances in medical technology have introduced minimally invasive treatments that offer effective pain relief with shorter recovery times and fewer risks. Here are a few treatments that you could be offered at New York Pain Management Group!

Types of Minimally Invasive Treatments

1. Endoscopic Discectomy: This procedure involves the removal of herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve. A small incision is made, and an endoscope is used to guide the surgeon, reducing damage to surrounding tissues.

2. Microdiscectomy: Similar to an endoscopic discectomy, a microdiscectomy uses a microscope to remove the herniated portion of a disc. This procedure is often used to relieve nerve pain caused by a herniated disc in the lumbar spine.

3. Radiofrequency Ablation: This technique uses heat generated by radio waves to target specific nerves and disrupt their ability to send pain signals. It is often used for chronic back pain resulting from arthritis or other degenerative conditions.

4. Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty: This procedure involves the insertion of a needle into the disc and the use of a special device to remove a portion of the disc material. It is designed to relieve pressure on nerves and reduce pain.

5. Spinal Cord Stimulation: A small device is implanted under the skin to send electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses interfere with pain signals before they reach the brain, providing relief for chronic pain sufferers.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Treatments

1. Reduced Recovery Time: Minimally invasive procedures typically involve smaller incisions, leading to shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times compared to traditional open surgeries.

2. Lower Risk of Complications: Smaller incisions and less disruption to surrounding tissues reduce the risk of infection, blood loss, and other complications.

3. Less Pain: Patients often experience less post-operative pain and discomfort, allowing for a faster return to normal activities.

4. High Success Rates: Many minimally invasive procedures have high success rates and can provide long-lasting pain relief.

5. Outpatient Options: Some minimally invasive treatments can be performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day.

Ideal Candidates for Minimally Invasive Treatments

Not all patients with back pain are candidates for minimally invasive treatments. Ideal candidates typically include those who:

  • Have not found relief through conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections.
  • Have specific conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.
  • Are in good overall health and do not have conditions that would increase surgical risks.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive treatments for back pain offer a promising alternative to traditional open surgeries. They provide effective pain relief with fewer risks and shorter recovery times, allowing patients to return to their daily lives more quickly. If you are suffering from chronic back pain, consult with a healthcare professional to determine if you are a candidate for one of these innovative procedures.