Seeking Help From a Sports Medicine Physician for Chronic Lower Back Pain
Posted on: 28 July 2021
Certain types of athletic activities are associated with higher-than-normal rates of chronic low back pain. Rowing, golfing, and weightlifting are just a few examples. The sports medicine model of treatment focuses on conservative strategies. The goal is to significantly reduce symptoms, thus preventing the need for daily medication and eventual surgery. Sports medicine care by an orthopedist is also beneficial for patients suffering from low back pain due to other activities.
Medication Issues
Some men and women suffering from this condition spend years using over-the-counter medications to manage the problem. Often, this effort is not entirely successful. Pain relief medications also can have side effects, some serious. Being able to minimize drug intake with the help of sports medicine practitioners is valuable.
Becoming Sedentary
Ongoing discomfort can lead people to become sedentary. That can cause weight gain, which is associated with an increased risk of further health issues like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Mental Health Consequences
The entire situation can result in the person feeling anxious and depressed. They feel a loss of control because they may never know when the pain will flare-up. It might seem to happen at random while walking or standing. Some cannot even sit through a two-hour movie without needing to stand and take pressure off of their spine.
This is not a minor issue. Because the physical symptoms never truly improve, the individual is continually disappointed about being unable to participate in favorite activities. The condition has become disabling to a certain extent.
An Important Step Forward
Consulting with an orthopedist can be an important step toward necessary improvements in physical and psychological wellness. After an examination and discussion, the sports medicine doctor might initially recommend specific exercises to do at home. A course of physical therapy might help.
Another possibility is a corticosteroid injection. These medications dramatically reduce inflammation, which substantially decreases pain. The effects generally last for several months. During that time, the patient's back problem could improve enough so the discomfort doesn't return even after the steroid wears off. This is done with exercises and activities that strengthen the soft tissues in the back and improve flexibility.
When a patient's lower back pain is minimized, this offers them a chance to go back to their normal life. A gradual return to favorite physical activities may be possible. The orthopedic physician monitors the patient's condition and provides advice on the most suitable options. Starting with mild to moderate activities like walking and swimming is advisable.
For more information about sports medicine, contact a local orthopedist near you to learn more.
Share