Don’t Let Back Pain Ruin Your Valentine’s Day: A Guide to Relief

Back pain is a leading reason why people miss work, which means it probably causes you to miss out on other events, too. With Valentine’s Day coming soon, you probably want your back to be in great shape for romantic date nights or group get-togethers. 

If home remedies aren’t helping enough, pain management specialist Haddis Hagos, MD, can treat it using the latest interventional procedures at Pain Management Associates LLC in Greenbelt, Maryland. He evaluates your back pain to recommend treatments that meet your needs.

Don’t want back pain to ruin your Valentine’s Day plans? Start here:

Managing back pain at home

Many people can manage their back pain at home with no professional help. Home remedies for back pain can help ease pressure on painful nerves in the back, often arising from herniated discs or spinal stenosis. 

You might be able to reduce chronic back pain at home by:

• Applying a cold compress or ice pack when back pain first starts
• Applying heat after the first 48 hours of back pain
• Resting your back for a few hours at a time
• Gently exercising your back to improve strength and healing
• Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin

It may also help to explore options for physical therapy, which can accompany any professional back pain treatments you get. 

Professional back pain treatments to know

At Pain Management Associates LLC, Dr. Hagos can recommend therapies to treat your back pain if home remedies don’t cut it. Treatments can make your back pain less impactful on everyday wellbeing, so you can fully enjoy your Valentine’s Day. 

Dr. Hagos specializes in advanced therapies such as:

Epidural steroid injections

Epidural steroid injections deliver two medications into the epidural space around your spinal cord: a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid. The anesthesia numbs your back immediately, while the corticosteroid takes longer to work. It reduces swelling in the region for longer-lasting pain relief. 

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RA), like an epidural steroid injection, is a minimally invasive procedure. This treatment directs heat at pain-causing nerves to destroy the tissue, which can stop the pain signals for some time.

Spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation involves a surgically implanted device, which may be able to treat your pain if noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments haven’t. You start with a trial period to make sure the device works well for you. The stimulator works by using electrical impulses to control pain signals as they travel from your back to your brain. 

Kyphoplasty

If your back pain originated from a compression fracture, kyphoplasty might be your best option. This procedure involves restoring your vertebrae to their natural shape using a balloon-like device. 

Getting started with our professional care

Results from pain management procedures vary, and not every procedure will work well for specific back pain causes. It’s important to consult with Dr. Hagos about your back pain and needs so you get personalized recommendations. 

Do you want to treat your back pain in time for Valentine’s Day? Schedule an appointment online or over the phone at Pain Management Associates LLC to learn more about your treatment options.