Lower Back Pain Treatment
Tailored to You: Reclaim Your Life
Back pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain and is also a symptom of wide range of chronic conditions. Having back pain makes it difficult to perform day to-day activities and self-care, and can affect work, relationships, and hobbies.
From this perspective, back pain has the potential to be debilitating. However, by incorporating a multi-disciplinary treatment plan and a chronic pain management plan, it’s possible to reduce pain levels dramatically and get back significant levels of mobility and function, allowing you to live a fuller life again.
Common causes of lower back pain include:
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Arthritis in the spine
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Structural abnormalities like scoliosis
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Degenerative disc disease
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Herniated discs
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Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
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Spinal fractures
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Myofascial pain (muscle tightness and tenderness) due to injury or overuse
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Using bad posture for extended periods of time (causing ligament and muscle strain)
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Injury
However, it is also entirely possible to have low back pain for which a clear cause cannot be found on ordinary imaging. This is known as non-specific low back pain or primary lower back pain and is the most common type of back pain in the world. Many people with this diagnosis have underlying osteoarthritis that can only be diagnosed with very specialised tests.
How We Diagnose Lower Back Pain
The team approaches each case uniquely, as though it is the first time they are seeing it. In other words, no assumptions or “copy-paste” approaches are made – diagnoses are made with extreme thoroughness and care, from a whole team of healthcare professionals including spinal care specialists, and more.
Your first consultation will be with either an interventionist or a therapist, all specifically trained in the management of chronic pain. They’ll do a pain evaluation, ask you a few questions and take a detailed medical history. Make sure to bring along any previous medical records.
Physical examinations, imaging tests such as MRI’s, X-rays and CT scans may then be required to further the diagnostic process.
Treatment Options
Treatments are tailored to the patient’s individual case and needs. In
many cases, surgical treatments are not needed.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Various therapies, lifestyle changes and medication are classified as conservative back pain treatments, and these are commonly prescribed and usually highly effective, especially if prescribed in a multimodal fashion.
A conservative approach is also usually a long-term one – which can be incorporated into pain management and lifestyle habits for many months, years, or even the rest of a person’s life. The aim is to help you manage your health independently with support from your team.
Non-surgical treatments can include:
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Movement programmes
Biokinetic (Analysis and treatment)
Medication (Pescribed by a psychiatrist)
Psychotherapy
Mindfulness, (meditation and stress management techniques)
Dietary adjustments
Alternative or complimentary therapies may also be useful – if you are interested in a particular modality of treatment, speak to your team, and get their opinion before planning your next step.
Non-Invasive Interventional Procedures
Interventional procedures such as Pulsed Radiofrequency Neuromodulation (PRN) can be highly effective in providing back pain relief for certain conditions, reducing inflammation and pain, and improving mobility.
It is important to note that these treatments do not provide a cure for the underlying problem but rather provide temporary relief from the pain, which usually lasts for 18 – 24 months (about 2 years).
Although no surgical treatments are provided at any of the clinics of the Pain Collective, some conditions do require surgical intervention. If your problem requires surgical treatment, your team will refer you to a surgeon outside of our practice who we recommend.
We do not offer surgery, but you can learn more about surgical options here.
What to Expect as a Patient
The Pain Collective will guide you through a three-month lower back pain treatment plan. Non-surgical interventions typically provide pain relief for 18 – 24 months, depending on your condition, severity and how well you incorporate lifestyle changes to manage your
condition at home.
Success Stories
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“Had 3 back surgeries previously. Was referred to the Pain clinic by my neurosurgeon and the support I got from Dr Liebenberg and his staff (both at the clinic and hospital where procedure was done) was superb... I feel like a new person after the procedure. Pain clinic changed my life for the better”.
Jacqueline Titus -
“I’ve been dealing with a pain issue in my lower back, but I am now on the road to recovery and a pain-free life, thanks to my experience at the Pain Collective Panorama. The staff there is awesome”.
Brigritte Magerman -
“…Not only was the service exceptional, but my lower back also showed significant improvement after just the first treatment. My mood lifted considerably, especially since I had begun to consider retirement due to the pain. Thank you again for the effective, operation-free treatment".
Pieter Haastbrook -
"Such a great team that helped me so much with back pain while avoiding surgery. Dr Karriem is lovely, she listens really well and is passionate about helping her patients. Highly recommend."
Robyn Wewage
Get Pain Relief Today
Schedule an evaluation by calling 087 550 0644 or emailing info@healthcollectiveheal.com for an appointment at any clinic.