Pain management doctor shares what you need to do for the first specialist appointment and what you should see for back pain and where to start instead in your search for relief?
It is estimated that 80 percent of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives, which is one of the most common health issues in the world. According to Dr. Ednan Sheikh, it’s probably closer to 100 percent.
Dr. Ednan Sheikh would like to put your mind at ease if you’re in this group and having difficulty finding relief (perhaps because you don’t want back surgery). It’s not just that spine surgery isn’t always necessary to treat back pain, it’s sometimes even counterproductive.
The causes of back pain can be so diverse, he says. There are several ways to treat it, depending on what’s causing it. A lot depends on the type of back pain, and some kinds of back pain cannot be treated by surgery.”
It’s always a good idea to get in touch with a doctor who offers the services you need, says he. This is how he recommends you start, what to expect…and what may happen if your pain doesn’t subside.
Start with a Physiatrist
Dr. Ednan Sheikh recommends visiting a physiatrist as your first step unless you need a referral from your primary care provider. His explanation is that a physiatrist is a doctor who treats the back as a primary health care provider. In contrast to primary care physicians, physiatrists are dedicated to diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems without surgery. It’s a good idea to consult a physiatrist about your back pain, even if you’ve already spoken to your family doctor about it.
Referrals to Physical Therapists are likely to come from
In the case of ongoing back pain, physical therapy combined with at-home treatments such as those mentioned earlier in the article are usually the first steps to take.
Also, a physical therapist can assess how you sit, stand, and move-and suggest ways to improve your posture and workspace. To help your back feel better, they’ll design an exercise or movement program that’s tailored to your needs.
If You’re Still Not Better, You’ll Likely Get an MRI
If you’ve finished your PT but your pains have not improved, your physiatrist will likely send you for an MRI. This type of test looks at what’s going on inside your body using a high-powered magnet. An MRI can help doctors see if a nerve is being pinched, if there’s wear-and-tear on the cartilage or bones, or if there’s another physical problem that might be at the root of your pain.
The MRI Will Likely Be Looked at by a Surgeon
In some cases, a spine surgeon like Dr. Ednan will review an MRI result and determine whether surgery is necessary for the patient.
The surgeon describes how sometimes non-surgical treatments are recommended as well, including corticosteroid injections, which can both provide pain relief and help identify where thIs Surgery not Recommended, is a Pain Specialist Your Next Stop?e pain is coming from.
The next step might be surgery, but you may be able to have it performed with minimally invasive techniques—that is, those that are less painful and have fewer complications.
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)
Is Surgery not Recommended, is a Pain Specialist Your Next Stop?
Consider seeing a new jersey pain management physician if pain persists despite the treatments you’ve tried, since these doctors are specialized in assessing, diagnosing, and treating pain. Depending on the type of pain, some may specialize further, such as back pain.
May you Also Benefit from Talking About It?
Further, he said that psychiatrists are also capable of helping patients deal with long-term pain, which has been linked to anxiety and depression.
It is so important to understand how pain affects the brain that all new jersey pain management doctors must complete four years of medical school, four years of residency training in pain management, and one year of additional training in relevant fields such as psychiatry before becoming a pain management doctor.
When Is the Right Time to Seek Help for Your Pain?
There are very few people who come to him after a week of back pain, according to Dr. Ednan Sheikh. It’s more common that people come to him for months or even years. As A Result, if you feel pain then you immediately consult a doctor.
