The Impact of Back Pain and Other Types of Chronic Pain
Chronic pain can significantly impact your quality of life. It can make work difficult, if not possible. Pain can make enjoying time with loved ones difficult, it has an impact on mental health and well-being too. If you suffer from chronic pain, or know someone who does — then you are all too aware of how chronic pain can undermine a person’s quality of life.
Fortunately, medical science has made substantial advances in pain management in just the last two decades. This article explores effective pain relief methods, from professional treatments offered by back pain specialists to simple home remedies for sore muscles.
When to Seek Help from a Back Pain Specialist
Back pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain — millions of Americans live with back pain. However, when back pain is uncomfortable and frequent enough to interfere with everyday living and decrease your quality of life — it’s time to consult a back pain specialist.
Dr. Todd Koppel, MD, has been providing expert pain management in New Jersey for over 20 years. Dr. Koppel has many years of experience treating back pain. Everything from herniated discs to pinched nerves and workplace injuries is right in his wheelhouse.
Dr. Koppel also has extensive experience in treating other painful conditions affecting the neck, and joints, including disc herniations, sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, pinched nerves, and other spinal disorders.
How do I know if I need a back pain specialist?
- If chronic pain is preventing you from getting restful sleep.
- If your pain doesn’t improve satisfactorily with over-the-counter NSAIDs.
- If your back pain persists for more than a couple of weeks and doesn’t improve.
- When pain in your back is getting in the way of your enjoyment of life.
- When back pain or injury is making it difficult or impossible to return to work.
Modern Pain Management with Compassion
Our Clifton, NJ pain management clinic was founded to provide people living with back pain or any other sort of chronic pain the treatment they deserve. When you visit Garden State Pain Management, you will find a compassionate team of healthcare professionals ready to listen.
We take our time with every person we care for—time to carefully diagnose the conditions behind your pain. Time to ensure that you get the best pain treatment we can provide. Pain is the body’s way of telling us something is wrong. We work to effectively relieve your pain — but we also listen to the body to isolate the source of pain and to treat any diagnosed conditions effectively.
Our goal is not simply to mask pain, but to help you both find comfort, heal as much as possible, and regain function and mobility.
Just some of the conditions that Dr. Koppel can provide relief for:
- Lower back pain
- Osteoarthritis pain
- Lumbar herniated discs
- Sciatic nerve inflammation, sciatica
- Pain from automobile accidents
- Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
Finding Specialized Care for Sciatica and Other Conditions
Chronic pain from conditions like sciatica requires specialized knowledge for the most effective pain management. If you have sciatica, a pinched nerve, or other chronic pain conditions, seeing a pain specialist with expertise in these conditions, like Dr. Koppel is your best choice.
Your family doctor or general practitioner may be able to help — they have good fundamental medical knowledge of the various organ systems in order to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions. When you have the benefit of knowing where the problem is localized — seeing a back pain or sciatica specialist is advised.
Our back pain specialists in Clifton, NJ, as well as our other locations, typically use a combination of treatments, including physical therapy, medication, and sometimes injections, to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and alleviate pain.
Just a few of the specialized care options available from Dr. Koppel:
- Lumbar injection therapy
- Cervical injection therapy
- Epidural steroid injections
- Expert vein treatment
- Minimally invasive discectomy
What About Home Remedies for Back Pain?
Not all pain requires medical intervention from a back pain specialist. For less severe cases, home remedies can sometimes provide enough relief. Home remedies for back pain and other aches and strains can also help supplement the pain management care you receive from a professional like Dr. Koppel.
Here are a few home remedies to consider:
- Cold and Heat Therapy: Applying ice packs can reduce inflammation and numb the painful area, while heat therapy can relax muscles and improve blood circulation.
- Epsom Salt Baths: Soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts can help soothe muscle pain and reduce inflammation.
- Essential Oils: When massaged into the skin, certain oils, such as lavender or peppermint, have natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
- Massage: You don’t necessarily need a trained massage therapist to find some relief. A friend or loved one with strong hands and a bit of knowledge can make a real difference for you.
- Careful Stretching: Stretching, carefully after you’ve warmed up can provide relief from sciatica and tight leg hamstrings, which can contribute to back pain.
The most important thing to remember about home remedies for pain is that they aren’t your only option.
We find that most chronic pain sufferers and people with sciatica find the best pain relief solution includes both professional and at-home interventions. Consider seeing a pain specialist and incorporating treatment you can do at home — with your pain management or sciatica doctor’s advice
Garden State Pain Management in Clifton, NJ
If you’re struggling with pain and looking for expert care and treatment options, don’t hesitate to reach out to Garden State Pain Management. Our team of dedicated back pain specialists and medical professionals are here to offer you the latest in pain management and treatment strategies, tailored to your specific needs.
Call us today to schedule your appointment, or you can conveniently book your appointment online.