Back pain affects at least 90% of Americans at some point in their life, making it a very frequent complaint that Dr. Michael Y. Mizhiritsky, MD, top rated NYC physician, addresses. Back pain is so common because it is easy to strain our backs doing simple everyday tasks. Because of the variety of causes and resulting conditions, it is very important to consult a back expert about ongoing pain, though most people rarely seek the medical attention they need. Dr. Mizhiritsky is gifted in diagnosing even the most complex neuromuscular or musculoskeletal back conditions, and is known as the best back physician in New York and globally for his conservative, non-surgical treatments. Dr. Mizhirtisky enjoys making his patients feel better on a whole by alleviating chronic spinal symptoms with the most innovative methods in Physical Medicine and Pain Management.The doctors and staff at NY Bone and Joint Specialists have built an atmosphere of trust and understanding that back pain patients especially appreciate after visiting the office for routine physical therapy, injection therapy, or sports rehabilitation sessions. Our staff strives to make visits to our Upper East Side, Midtown Manhattan, Englewood, NJ and Hoboken, NJ locations pleasant and enjoyable as well as highly efficient. Along with providing you the highest rated medical care in the NYC area, we will be happy to handle all insurance processes on your behalf and schedule all your necessary appointments at your convenience.
BACK PAIN AND STRAIN
Having back pain can feel daunting for a patient because there are just so many reasons back pain occurs. Patients often do not know where to start when their back pain does not seem to resolve on its’ own. The best way to start effectively treating your back pain is visiting with your expert New York Bone and Joint physician. Your back doctor can be your guide in determining the origin of your back pain and the best ways to treat it.
QUALITY OF BACK PAIN
The most important evaluation for your back pain is the one you do for yourself. What do we mean by that? You as the patient need to be honest in what you are experiencing. It may help you to write down the specifics of your pain (i.e. the when, where, why) and during which activities your back pain is exacerbated. It is also important to determine how long you have been in pain for and if it corresponds with any recent events or changes in your life. Is the pain acute; recent in onset? Or is it chronic; has it been present for a long period of time?
RISK FACTORS
There are several identifiable risks factors for back pain. Some of these factors are related to our health while others our lifestyle. Often risk factors can be controlled or corrected by simple measures. Other factors however, are apart of us inherently, and therefore cannot be change but can certainly be supported and compensated for. Some of the most important risk factors for back pain include:
- Anatomic – excessive low back curvature, scoliosis, forward tilted pelvis and even weak abdominal muscles can all cause back pain.
- Acute Health Issues – conditions such as appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney failure, UTI, bladder infection, fractures and even pregnancy have been shown to manifest back pain.
- Prolonged Health Issues – chronic kidney disease, nerve root compression, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and tumors have related back pain.
- Low Back Strain – this is one of the most common causes of back pain. It is often attributed to over-use or prolonged stress and strain in a poor postured position. Low back strain usually affects the lumbar spine and can be caused when heavy lifting or straining causes muscles in the lower back to be stretched or even torn.
- Sports – sports such as basketball, baseball, rugby, football and even golf have been shown to induce back pain.
SYMPTOMS
The most common symptoms of back pain include:
- Stiffness in the back with quick/twisting motions
- Inability to fully straighten-up and correct posture
- Back muscles spasms or muscle weakness
Your talented NY Bone and Joint physician will not only perform a comprehensive physical exam but they will make sure to listen to your interpretation of the back pain. Commonly, back pain can be alleviated with a combination of conservative measures that include: RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), oral pain relievers/NSAIDs/corticosteroids, bracing and tailored physical therapy. Physical therapy can be an integral part of your pain recovery, as your therapist will use specific stretching/strengthening exercises, targeted massage, pelvic traction and heat/ice modalities to reduce your back pain.
Treating any underlying acute or chronic health condition can also help to reduce back pain. If your back pain fails to respond to conservative measures your doctor may order tests like x-ray, MRI or CT to evaluate the condition further. In rare cases, surgery may be the only appropriate option available to you.
PREVENTION
Back strain is one of the most common causes of back pain. There are several, simple yet effective measures that every person can take to help prevent back pain. Some of these core preventative measures include:
- Ensuring proper posture when both sitting and standing for an extended period of time
- Weight reduction can be an effective may to remove stress and strain from your back with simple diet and activity modification.
- Exercising regularly (4-5 times a week) has been clinically shown to improve spine stability and prevent excess back stress.
- Perform proper stretching before and after physical activity or sport. An appropriate warm up can go a long way in preventing injury.
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EXPERIENCING PAIN? DO YOU HAVE AN INJURY?
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