When experiencing back pain, it is a good idea to visit a doctor that specializes in pain management and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. This type of doctor is known as a Physiatrist, a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).
The Medical Director at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation focuses on conservative treatment options to help patients avoid surgery while alleviating pain and increasing mobility and functioning. The treatment model for back pain caused by disc injuries includes a number of healthy modalities, including spinal decompression, physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care.
Reduced mobility is often associated with disc problems and back pain. In some cases, pain is the culprit that restricts patients from taking advantage of more conservative rehabilitation options—and leads to unnecessary surgeries. In such causes, a pain management specialist may perform Epidural Steroid Injections, a minimally invasive procedure that reduces inflammation and pain in the spinal nerves. The purpose of using injections to relieve pain is to help patients rehabilitate with physical therapy, spinal decompression, chiropractic care, etc., and avoid surgery.