Welcome to Pain Management Institute

To make an appointment for any of our locations, please call
  815.412.6166

All Posts Tagged: chronic back pain

WHY-DOES-YOUR-BACK-HURT-POTENTIAL-CAUSES-OF-BACK-PAIN

WHY DOES YOUR BACK HURT? POTENTIAL CAUSES OF BACK PAIN

Back pain is the most frequent cause of job-related disability. At least 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime, According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Most of the time back pain is the result of an injury, such as muscle sprains or strains due to sudden movements or poor body mechanics while lifting heavy objects.

Medical conditions causing back pain

Some common medical causes of back pain include;

  • Sciatica; is caused by pressure on the nerve endings that come out of the spine and results in pain in the lower back that moves down the buttocks into one or both of the legs.
  • Slipped disc; soreness in the lower back, muscle weakness, tight muscles and loss of bladder control may be the result of slipped disc.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis; it causes back pain, buttock pain, swollen joints and tendons and extreme tiredness.
  • Spondylolisthesis; in this condition a bone in the spine slipping out of position and causes lower back pain, stiffness, numbness and tingling.
  • Arthritis; inflammatory joint condition. Pain in the joint while walking is the primary symptom.
  • Whiplash; neck pain and stiffness, headaches and lower back pain following a motor vehicle accident.
  • Muscle or ligament strain; if your back is out of condition or you have other tissue problems.
  • Osteoporosis; the bones in your back can become brittle by osteoporosis and break easily.

Less common back pain causes

While considerably less common, causes of back pain can include;

  • Infection
  • Tumor
  • Autoimmune disease

How back pain trigger?

Some everyday activities either at home or at work can brought on or triggered back pain and are considered as causes of back pain. Back pain can develop over time as a result of sitting, standing or lifting badly.

Common triggers that are causes of back pain include:

  • Bending awkwardly
  • Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling incorrectly
  • Repetitive bending, or lifting
  • Sitting a lot at work
  • Slouching in chairs
  • Standing and bending down for long periods
  • Twisting
  • Overstretching
  • Driving in a hunched position
  • Driving for long time
  • Overuse of the muscles due to sport or repetitive movements (repetitive strain injury)
  • Being exposed to whole body vibration

Risk factors

Back pain gets more frequent as you get older. Some conditions increase the risk and included in causes of back pain. They are;

  • Being overweight
  • Not exercising enough
  • Smoking
  • Being pregnant
  • Long-term use of medicines that are known to weaken the bones, such as corticosteroids
  • Stress
  • Depression

Pain management institute is helping people to cure acute and chronic long term pain to resume a normal life style. PMI has provided many treatments like stem cell therapy and many others.

For more details call on 815.412.6166

Read More
Facet-joint-injections-back-pain

Facet joint injections spread hopes for back pain sufferers

Severe lumbar back pain is one of the most widespread ailments reported by adolescents in the U.S. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 25% of the complainants reported experiencing back pain in the preceding span of three months

Several patients facing chronic back pain, opt surgery for relief. Unluckily, surgical options are not usually worthwhile at eliminating back pain. As a matter of most medical professionals use the term “failed back surgery syndrome” to distinguish the patients who still suffer from severe pain after back surgery

A survey done in Chicago by The Pain Management Institute yields 1,450 patients who had to quit work because of severe lower back pain. The survey also indicated a 41 percent increase in the consumptions  of painkillers among the surgery group. The dilemma arises, when the  intensity of pain after surgery, run over the patient’s expectations and interferes the patients lifestyle and ability to work

Due to the complicated structure of the spine and its encircling nerves, muscles and blood vessels, there are several reasons that surgery could fail to provide relief from chronic back pain. They involve issues such as scar tissue development, surgical hardware failure and incorrect surgical site.

Rather than striving to treat chronic back pain through surgery, a fruitful method can be to handle chronic back pain similar to illness, like diabetes or high blood pressure, where treatment is more focused on managing pain hallmarks so the patients can lead productive livesDr. Zaki Anwer, MD.

Facet block injections are one of the worthwhile alternatives to help patients suffering from chronic back pain either after or instead of surgery. A facet joint block is the spinal injection of medication that numbs the medial nerve, carried out

  • A short-acting numbing drug
  • A long-acting Corticosteroid, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug

If your facet joint block injection has worked, your pain is relieved, however, if a single injection doesn’t succeed another can be recommended

At the Pain Management Institute we will devise a series of carefully spaced out facet joint blocks as a part of your spinal care path. Dr Zaki Anwer, MD.

The Potential results of a facet joint block include:

  • No pain relief.
  • Pain goes away and returns after a few hours.

Pain goes away, returns later the same day, and gradually improves during the next few days.

Read More

It’s Time to Help Yourself In Case of Back Pain at Work!!

The biggest discomfort and distraction at workplace that makes you lose your focus while working is the chronic back pain. This type of pain if left untreated, it can reach towards your neck as well making things difficult for you. So, stay alarmed about the causes and signs mentioned below and approach a pain management specialist if the pain is completely unbearable.

The Common Causes That Lead to Back Pain!

If you are facing back pain at work, then there might be some reason, or something improper in your environment that might surely be affecting you badly and bringing you in a painful situation. Let’s explore common causes that lead to the pain at work:

posture

Being indulged in your work, people usually forget to sit properly. They are unknowingly slouching or in other cases their way of working is bringing their back in pressure. Posture is the most important thing that is required to be maintained at work.

repetitive

The repetitive motions at work such as typing can also cause chronic back pain, as sitting in one position and performing the same activity the back will come under stress and eventually make the work feel like a burden.

isolation

If at work you are involved in an individual activity like lifting some heavy object then it can also lead to chronic back pain. Make sure that if it’s necessary in completing that lifting task then you do it with the help of your co-worker.

The Indications For Back Pain!

There can be different symptoms that might either aware you or confuse you as to what condition you are facing at work. The most common ones include:

Lower back pain

Pain that is felt from the rib cage towards the bottom of the spine. This type of pain is usually excruciating and happens as a result of some injury.

Upper or Middle Back Pain

The area that starts from the rib cage to the top of the spine is known as thoaric spine. In case, this is the pain you are facing then it means that both your hands and arms will be affected.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from back pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More

Here Are the Tips to Protect Your Lower Back!!

While involved in extensive tasks, such as lifting heavy objects, twisting or working straight for hours on your personal computer your lower back will become stressed causing your muscles or ligaments to stretch and ultimately leading you to microscopic tears. Adding to this, the constant stress on your muscles will lead to chronic muscle strain and other soft tissue problems landing you to chronic back pain.

Whether at work, at home, or in some other gathering, if you are suffering from such pain then you will definitely be unable to continue your day with the utmost fervour or enthusiasm. If this is the case do not force yourself to continue on with your routine, instead opt for some steps that will relieve your pain to a greater extent.

Here are the Tips That must Be Followed:

Correct Your posture

Focus on your posture, the way you sit, the way you stand, the manner in which you are performing some activity etc. This is the main thing that needs to be considered, because if you follow a poor posture then it can lead you to degenerated disc condition that is indeed very painful. If your work involves working for hours sitting then make a promise with yourself to take a break for a while and stretch yourself.

While Lifting Heavy Objects

You will be lead to back pain if you are not taking care while lifting heavy objects. Stand close to the object you are lifting so that there is less stress on your back.

Exercise

Try to perform low impact cardiovascular exercises as these will increase the blood flow to the spine, thus supplying the body requisite healing nutrients for the protection of your lower back.

Your overall Physical Health

As you know that the spine is the most important part in your body, in not only providing you support but also making you completely fit and healthy. To ensure that you are away from the risk of back pain make sure that you drink lots of water, take an anti-inflammatory diet and avoid any alcohol containing stuff.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from some back pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anaesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More

Here Are the Best Ways To Handle Back Pain!!

Either as a result of some injury, considering the age factor or chronic back pain because of some heavy lifting, there are almost 80 percent of the Americans suffering from back pain. While there are the ones who chose to go for immediate check up and medical attention, there are also the ones who consider it mild and only chose to rest, thinking that it would benefit them.

Sometimes your routine demands some helpful activity such as strengthening exercises, or physical therapy that would help alleviate your condition. In order to focus on this, we have presented here some quick ways that will let you battle with back pain.

The Best Ways!!

Limit Your Bed Rest!

People usually do not know that resting and lying on bed for long hours can also contribute to chronic back pain. Studies also show that the people who rest more have a harder time in continuing the daily tasks and in staying active. Hence it is advised that people should avoid taking rest for more than three days.

A Good Posture

Poor posture if not today; will definitely show the damage it has caused within a short period of time. For instance, you might be gyming and experiencing acute back pain thinking that it might be because of the roughness and toughness in your muscles. But who knows it might be because of your poor posture that landed you in such situation.

Keep Exercising

The best medicine of back pain is staying active or remaining in activity. Exercises like walking would be very effective in such a situation. Hence a person should make stretching exercises a part of his routine as well as maintaining an upright and neutral position.

Applying Ice & Heat!

At the time of back pain, people must opt for either the method of icing or giving warmth to the area depending on what is making them feel comfortable. In case your back is injured, then applying ice would not only prevent swelling but will also alleviate the pain.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from chronic back pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More

This is How You Can Cope With Back Pain At work!!

In case it is your third day that you are an off from office, reason being acute back pain, then you are at the right place where you will get to know all the do’s that must be followed at the time of your work schedule. It has been reported that nearly 93% of the people miss their work days only because of back pain at work. Be it whatever job they are involved in such as a typist, a civil engineer, a technician or a sportsman, suffering from this chronic pain will lessen your daily energies as well as minimize your enthusiasm to perform the best.

Furthermore, back pain complaints are mostly heard by the people in offices. The most common causes of this type of pain are as follows.

Common Causes

  • Lack of movement in between your day
  • Between your ear or your shoulder, holding a telephone or a cellphone
  • Slouching forward in your chair
  • What should be Done to Fight Back Pain!

These are the changes you need to bring in your daily schedule of work routine:

Sitting Area Customization

The way you sit in your chair at the time of work says a lot about whether your spine will be affected by it or not. Hence make sure that your office chairs must have in them a lumbar support that will help keep your spine in the most natural position and thus lessen the chances of back pain.

Get up & Move!

Sitting in one position for straight 8 hours or more, will not only tire you but will eventually affect your back and thus land you into chronic back pain condition. Hence to avoid this, make sure that you do not sit in one position for long, instead take breaks, and stretch yourself.

An ergonomics review will do it!

Probably you might be unaware that the place where you sit is not good for your health condition whatsoever. Hence for your own betterment and to eliminate the risk of back pain at work, request for an ergonomic review of your workstation. Perhaps this will be enough to cure your pain and erase the need of taking a day off from work.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from back pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More

How Improving your Habits Can Alleviate Back Pain!!

Today, the most usual reason for doctor visits is none other than the problem of back pain. As a result of bad posture, poor workplace setup, lack of exercise, excessive weight and limited flexibility and lastly in depth indulgence in all the hectic activities can stress your spine as well as neck and result in chronic back pain. It has been reported that almost 50 percent of the Americans suffer from chronic back pain.

Sometimes, people know the intensity of the pain but still ignore it which is wrong and can further worsen their condition. There are many ways in which you can try and alleviate your back pain and thus prevent it from getting worse. If you modify your daily routine as well as the habits you will witness a marked improvement in your painful condition. Here are the habits that you must focus on:

A Pillow Under your knees

If you lie straight on bed then there will be a lot of pressure on your back that could lead you to back pain. Try keeping a pillow under your knees that is a sort of elevation for the legs and will in turn reduce the pressure on the back.

Enough Workouts

In case you are suffering from any back injuries, muscle spasms and strains try performing a regular training workout including specifically back and abdominal exercises that will not only improve your flexibility but will also strengthen your back.

Calcium & Vitamin D Intake

In women the most common causes of back pain is due to osteoporosis which can only be prevented when your bones are strong. Calcium and vitamin D contribute a lot towards the strength of your bones; hence their intake must be strictly opted.

Calcium containing items include:

  • Leafy Greens
  • Milk
  • Vitamin Supplements
  • Yogurt

Items containing Vitamin D include:

  • Fatty Fish
  • Egg Yolks
  • Beef Liver
  • Cheese

Comfortable Shoes

Often people don’t understand that wearing the type of shoes will have affect on your spine. So, make sure that you wear low heeled shoes that will have less pressure on your spine and thus prevent you from chronic back pain.

Straighten Up

Make sure that you maintain a perfect posture, your neck and spine should be in same line thereby caring about all the intricate pieces of your spine. On the other hand, if you are in a habit of sitting in bad posture then you will be stressing your back so much so that it can lead to chronic back pain.

If you or any of your loved one is suffering from back pain or any other body pain, get a professional advice from Dr. Zaki Anwar by placing an appointment at (815) 464-7212). He is an expert anesthesiologist and certified Pain Management Specialist who has been practicing pain relief techniques for the past several years with effective results.

Read More