Reduce back and neck pain and improve mobility

Back or neck pain can be caused by any number of issues – arthritis or skeletal problems, disc issues, muscle or ligament strain, osteoporosis, injury or even a tumor. Fortunately, advancements in neuroscience provide a variety of treatment options that can help reduce, or even eliminate, pain.

Your spine is composed of muscles, discs, ligaments, bones and nerves. When part of the spine becomes damaged or diseased, it can cause pain and affect functionality. It is best to get medical help for neck and back problems when they persist or start to recur.

Advice from a spine care team is especially recommended for sciatica pain that radiates through the legs or arms, weakness in the arms or legs, or loss of bowel or bladder control.

In most cases, neck and back problems do not require surgery. Regular exercise and core muscle strength help prevent pain, degeneration and injury. Inflammation caused by obesity can be addressed with weight management. Nutrition, including recommended protein, calcium and vitamin D intake, positively impacts body weight and bone health. Your health care team can help you with each of these measures.

Physical therapy, which might include aquatic therapy, biofeedback, exercise or trigger point treatments, may also be recommended.

Pain management options may include a wide range of medical, therapeutic and surgical treatments, including medication, injections, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, acupuncture and other options.

Surgery is considered only when medically necessary. A number of minimally invasive procedures are available.

When seeking help for back and neck issues, you can start with your primary care provider or contact ProHealth Neuroscience Care’s spine health program to learn more. The program’s team of experts will work with you and your primary care provider to develop a personalized plan of care. Along the way, you will receive the skills and tools you need to manage the underlying cause of your pain.

Our comprehensive spine program includes:

Nurse navigators who guide you throughout your care and keep your provider informed.
Physical therapists who help you build strength, reduce pain and increase range of motion.
Occupational therapists who help you improve function and modify your environment or tasks.
Neuroradiologists and radiologists who use imaging studies to help diagnose your condition.
Physiatrists, also referred to as physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, who help improve how you move.
Pain management providers who provide medical, therapeutic and surgical treatment options.
Neurosurgeons who perform surgical procedures if necessary, using minimally invasive and motion-preserving options when possible.

Don’t hesitate to seek medical help when you need it. There are many options to help relieve your pain and improve your mobility. Pain from strain or injury may subside over time, but constant and recurring pain may be triggered by an underlying cause or condition that requires treatment before you will find relief. Request a free telephone consultation with a nurse navigator to discuss your condition and get matched to a provider. Or get started by calling 262-928-8532.

Vikas Parmar, MD, is a neurosurgeon with ProHealth Neuroscience Care in Waukesha. Dr. Parmar received his medical degree from the Albany School of Medicine in New York, completed his residency in neurosurgery at the University of Wisconsin, and fellowships in spine at the University of Wisconsin and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.