Choosing a doctor that specializes in pain management and disorders of the musculoskeletal system is an important step in managing low back pain caused by strains and sprains. The Medical Director at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation is a Physiatrist (a medical doctor who works in the field of Pain Management and Rehabilitation, or PM&R).
The most logical and effective back pain management strategy begins with the most conservative treatments first, thereby reducing the risk of unnecessary surgeries or other invasive procedures. The first step in a conservative treatment process (after diagnosis) is to design a customized plan that may include physical therapy, spinal decompression traction, acupuncture for pain relief, massage therapy, and/or chiropractic care.
When sprains and strains in the low back cause disabling pain, the pain management specialist at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation may decide to use one of a number of minimally invasive procedures involving the injection of a corticosteroid or an anesthetic numbing agent. This strategy often helps patients regain mobility and reduce pain enough to use more conservative treatments—physical therapy, for example—and reduce the need for surgery.
