Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Modern medicine is making it easier to treat a wide range of health conditions, but that doesn’t mean that every malady can be cured with pain medications and rest. Some types of health conditions give both patients and providers fits, and it takes expertise and precision to overcome these challenges during treatment. Back problems often fit this narrative, but we work hard to help our patients find a solution. Below, we share five reasons why spine pain can oftentimes be so difficult to treat.

Why Is Back Pain So Hard To Effectively Treat?

Here are five common problems that patients and providers run into when trying to successfully treat spine pain.

1. The Spine Is Complex – Your spine is home to vertebrae, nerves, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues, and all of these parts are susceptible to injury or degeneration. It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what is wrong because there are so many different structures in a given location. Low back pain could be caused by a herniated disc, nerve compression, a bone spur or spinal cord narrowing. The spine is a complex system, and many problems can develop in the same area.
2. Similar Symptoms – It’s not just that problem can develop in a range of spinal structures, but they also oftentimes present with the same symptoms. Pain when moving or numbness in your cervical spine can be caused by disc issues, nerve impingement or damage to soft tissues in the area. You might think you’re dealing with one condition based on the symptoms, but you could be dealing with a whole different animal that presents with the same symptoms.
3. Traveling Symptoms – The spine is also complex because a problem in the area can actually lead to symptom onset in another. A pinched nerve in your spine can lead to numbness or pain in your legs or arms, and many people think that their issue is confined to their extremities when it’s actually housed in their spine. If you’re treating the symptoms instead or the underlying cause, you’re going to find it hard to successfully treat the problem.
4. Back Pain Is So Common – Back pain is arguably the most common type of pain condition in the world, but that doesn’t make it any easier to treat. Back pain is different for every single person, so what works for one person may not work for another. It’s a common problem that needs individualized solutions, and that can make it harder to treat.
5. Treatment Takes Work – One final obstacle to successful back pain treatment is the fact that oftentimes treatment isn’t easy. Some conditions like a forearm fracture can heal with rest alone, but back problems usually need more active treatment. You’ll need to put in the work during treatment if you want to see the best results, and that won’t always come easy. You need to carve out time to do your rehab exercises and make sure you never skip a physical therapy appointment, otherwise you’ll find it harder to make a full recovery. It’s worth it, but it doesn’t always come easy.

If you want help with your back pain, let us help you overcome these challenges and find a solution that works for you. For more information, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.

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