Neck and Back Pain Treatment Options!

If you suffer from neck and back pain in Cary, IL, don’t reach for the prescription medication first. There are some natural treatment options that work with your body to address the root cause. That’s always more effective than covering up the pain with medication. If you don’t want to take the risk of opioid addiction or surgery, Dr. Alan Barthen at Cary Physical Medicine can help.

First Steps to Pain Relief

There are now more ways than ever to treat back and neck pain. Your doctor will start by analyzing your medical history and examining your range of motion. Testing is sometimes ordered to get an internal look at the painful area. After that, a personalized treatment plan is developed. That plan may include some of the following therapies.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression may sound intimidating, but it’s not as scary as it sounds. It was developed as an alternative to spinal decompression therapy, which comes with far more risks. The non-surgical therapy utilizes a computer-aided machine that gently stretches the spine. 

When the spine is stretched, it relieves pain on the spinal discs and surrounding nerves. The positioning of the spine is changed safely, often allowing for long-lasting pain relief in the back and neck. Spinal decompression is often used to relieve leg pain caused by sciatica as well. 

This therapy isn’t suitable for all back and neck pain. Working with a doctor trained in spinal decompression is the best way to determine the best treatments for your pain. It all depends on what is causing the pain. 

At-Home Therapies

In some cases, exercises and stretches are effectively performed at home to correct issues that cause some types of neck and back pain. Cary, IL, residents may also benefit from consciously improving their posture over time. Much neck and back pain is caused by the unnatural postures that come with scrolling on a cellphone and working on a computer for long stretches of time or on a daily basis. 

At-home exercises and stretching aren’t enough to relieve all types of neck and back pain. They’re often used in addition to other treatments like non-surgical spinal decompression. 

Is Medication Ever Needed?

Medication can help manage neck and back pain that interferes with quality of life. As other treatments begin to work, many patients can decrease their reliance on pain medication. Many eliminate the need for opioid medication entirely. 

If you experience neck and back pain in Cary, IL, schedule an appointment with Dr. Barthen at Cary Physical Medicine. The longer you delay, the longer you will wait for pain relief. Call (847) 639-0010 to ask questions and schedule your appointment today.