Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

It would be wonderful if you could just take a couple pain medications and experience long-term relief from your back pain, but there really isn’t a magic pill that can cure back pain. Some medications provide short-term relief, but oftentimes these medications only mask the symptoms and fail to treat the underlying cause, so if this is your only treatment pursuit, don’t expect fantastic results. If you’re one of the countless people who have found that pain medications simply aren’t doing enough to address your back pain, what are your next steps for treatment? In today’s blog, we explore how to overcome back pain when pain meds aren’t helping.

Pain Medications Aren’t Working For Spine Pain

It’s not uncommon for pain medications to fail to fully address your problem. Even if you’re dealing with a back problem caused by inflammation, and you take an anti-inflammatory, you may find that the issue returns because you never addressed the reason why inflammation developed in the first place. Most medications do not target the root cause of your problem, so they can be largely ineffective in the long-term.

That’s not to say that pain medications have no place in a comprehensive care plan. Prescription medications can provide pain relief so that it’s easier to partake in physical therapy or recover after an exercise program. Some pain medications can also assist in helping a patient fall asleep and stay asleep, both of which are essential for a recovery program.

But if you’re here because pain medications aren’t helping you find the relief you seek, what should you do? Although back pain is highly unique to the individual, some common treatments you can pivot to if pain medications aren’t enough include:

• Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is helpful for a wide range of spine ailments. Targeted PT under the direction of a professional physical therapist can ensure you strengthen and stabilize key areas of your spine, all without increasing your risk of worsening the condition. Your PT can also give you some home-based exercises to perform so that you can continue making progress between in-clinic visits.
• Doctor Consult – If you’ve tried to manage back pain on your own with pain medications and aren’t finding relief, it may be time to consult a professional. Your doctor can pinpoint the specific cause of your spinal discomfort and set you up with some individualized treatments based on your unique needs. Let Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute assist in your quest to overcome back pain.
• Lifestyle Improvements – Sometimes the best way to overcome back pain and protect your spine health going forward is to really work to provide the right environment for your spine. You can do this in a few different ways, including:
  • Getting regular exercise
  • Eating a range of healthy foods
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Regularly getting at least eight hours of sleep
  • Avoiding alcohol and tobacco

These conservative methods can provide a lift when pain medications aren’t getting the job done, but Dr. Sinicropi and his team can also provide additional hands-on care if you need even more help. Whether that’s in the form of a corticosteroid injection or a minimally invasive operation, we won’t stop until you’re satisfied with your care. For more information, or for help with a different spine issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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