Back Pain Doctor Gaithersburg MD

Person with Back Pain

A top back pain doctor Gaithersburg MD has to offer is available to treat your injury and help alleviate the associated physical and emotional symptoms. Most people will experience some kind of back pain at one point or another in life. Often, this pain is short-lived, and will go away after a few days of rest, warm compression, or light stretching. However, for some people, back pain becomes reoccurring, or so consistent that it leads to lost wages, accumulated stress, and a hindrance in the ability to carry out normal activity. If you’re experiencing these issues, it may be time to see a back pain doctor in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Pain Arthritis Relief Center: A Gaithersburg MD Back Pain Doctor

Pain Arthritis Relief Center helps patients to alleviate back pain with natural, medication-free treatment. Through individualized planning, restorative healing measures, and education, we may be able to reduce your back pain and heal your injury.

Acute or Prolonged Back Pain

When you talk to a back pain doctor Gaithersburg MD residents trust, he or she may first determine whether your back pain is acute or prolonged. Distinguishing between the two is important because they reflect the underlying problem and help guide the necessary treatment approach.

Acute Back Pain

Acute back pain may act as a warning sign of an injury such as a fracture, herniated disc, or sprained ligament. Following the first few days of injury, the body may give off painful sensations that tell you to avoid certain movements that could cause aggravation. For example, the neck becomes stiff after a whiplash injury, or a sharp pain may be felt near the site of a disc injury.

Prolonged Pain

Also known as chronic pain, this is typically the result of a minor injury or strain that occurred over a period of time. The severity of pain can vary from mild to moderate or severe. It’s common for this type of pain to flare up after excessive strain or repetitive misuse of the spinal column and surrounding tissues. In the case of prolonged pain, a Gaithersburg MD back pain doctor may carry out various tests to determine the extent of the injury, and the type of treatment necessary to begin the healing process.

Most Common Causes of Back Pain

Back pain can stem from a number of different factors. Some of these are uncontrollable, such as age, while others are the result of an unfortunate accident. Either way, most back pain can be managed through the assistance of a back pain doctor Gaithersburg MD relies on. The most common causes of back pain may include:

  • Weight gain
  • Poor posture
  • Improper lifting
  • Misalignment after pregnancy
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Whiplash
  • Scoliosis
  • Work-related injuries
  • Exercise and yoga-related injuries

When Should You Contact a Back Pain Doctor Gaithersburg MD?

If your pain is the result of a fall or injury, or is not going away after rest and/or medication, you may want to see a back pain doctor Gaithersburg MD residents count on. In addition, if your back pain accompanies any of the following symptoms, it may be important to see a doctor:

  • Difficulty urinating
  • Fever or chills
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Weight loss
  • Nausea or vomiting

A Gaithersburg MD back pain doctor may review your symptoms, and examine your spine through X-rays or other scans to determine the extent of your injuries and the immediate causes of your pain.

Contacting a Back Pain Doctor in Gaithersburg MD

You don’t have to let back pain control your enjoyment of daily activities. Through careful examination and an individualized therapeutic wellness plan, you can begin to alleviate your pain and heal your back. For a free consultation with a skilled back pain doctor Gaithersburg MD offers, contact The Pain Arthritis Relief Center.

Chiropractic Care May Reduce the Need for Pharmaceuticals

The field of chiropractic care has been gaining momentum as an effective intervention for the reduction of chronic and acute physical pain and discomfort. There is a myriad of diagnoses that can be treated with a comprehensive chiropractic plan. Many of those diagnoses are otherwise treated with pharmaceuticals that bring a host of side effects and potential addiction.

A back pain doctor in Gaithersburg Maryland is trained to manipulate the body and realign the musculoskeletal system so that the body can heal itself without invasive or medication-oriented treatment. In addition to the realignment methods, the back pain doctor may be able to guide the individual on a healthier lifestyle in general by discussing nutrition and recommending medical herbs as part of the healing process and general maintenance of health. The following information will highlight common ailments and diseases that are traditionally treated with pharmaceuticals but may be alleviated with a series of chiropractic adjustments instead.

Physical Diagnosis

  •        Headaches are a common complaint among the general population. The causes are diverse and they can range in severity, from mild to a severe migraine.
  •        Neck, shoulder, and back pain caused from stress or an injury like whiplash or a fall. Many people complain of mild to severe musculoskeletal pain after an incident such as a car accident or a fall. If not treated right away, the pain can become more intense and spread over different areas of the body.  
  •        Disc issues caused by injury are quite common in sports, slip and fall incidents, and car accidents. The most common treatment for such an injury is often surgery and pain medication.
  •        Nerve pain such a sciatica problems
  •        Strain or stress on the soft tissues of the body such as muscle, tendon or ligament stress or tears.
  •        Fibromyalgia is a disorder that starts with widespread pain in the musculoskeletal system. The pain can lead to fatigue, brain fog, and depression.
  •        Gastrointestinal issues
  •        High blood pressure

Mental Health Diagnosis

The most common mental health disorders that chiropractic care has been used to treat are depression and anxiety. While the root cause of such mental health issues can be complex, there is building research that indicates mental benefits from improved physical health. In addition, a Gaithersburg MD back pain doctor may be able to provide holistic advice regarding nutrition and overall health and well-being.

It is true that chiropractic adjustments are effective in overcoming illness or injury, but it is also recommended for overall health as part of your daily maintenance. For many, daily life brings stress and exhaustion. A chiropractic plan can be very effective in maintaining a healthy body, mind, and overall lifestyle.

The realignment of the spine may lead to less injury for the active individual who seeks daily exercise or the individual who spends long hours in the office, especially in front of a computer. In treating yourself well, you will be less likely to need pharmaceutical intervention. In addition, when you turn to more holistic interventions like chiropractic care to treat injury, you will give your body an opportunity to heal itself with the help of your Gaithersburg MD back doctor rather than surgery or medication.

To find out how a back pain doctor Gaithersburg MD patients recommend, contact The Pain Arthritis Relief Center today.

Spinal Discs: Shock Absorbers in Your Spine

Anybody who has experienced a damaged spinal (intervertebral) disc understands that they are a highly pain-sensitive structure in the spine. Every movement can worsen the pain, and everyday activities can begin to feel like monumental chores. At Pain Arthritis Relief Center, each Gaithersburg, MD back pain doctor knows that maintaining an active lifestyle is a top priority for most people, and we use chiropractic treatment to address damaged spinal discs.

What Is a Spinal Disc?

A spinal disc is a shock-absorbing pad made of cartilage that sits between the spinal bones (vertebrae). These round and flattened discs cushion vertebrae and absorb impacts to the spine that come from activities such as walking, bending, lifting, running, and jumping. A healthy and fully functional intervertebral disc has two parts:

  • A water-filled, gelatinous substance, called the nucleus pulposus
  • A rubber band-like outer ring of fibers called the annulus fibrosus that surrounds and protects the nucleus pulposus

The discs function as spinal shock absorbers, holding each vertebra apart from its neighbor. Discs also hold space between the facet joints, which are joints in the spine that enable it to flex, twist, and bend.

When spinal discs become damaged, pain and restricted movement can result. There are different types of disc damages. And actually, they don’t “slip,” although you may be familiar with that term. Spinal disc injuries can include:

Bulging Discs

When an area of the outer annulus fibrosus weakens due to injury or stress, it can allow the gelatinous center of the disc to swell and bulge out. The inner disc material can bulge like a balloon through the annulus and put pressure on nearby spinal nerves. This pressure and irritation of the spinal nerves may lead to pain and possibly further damage. At the onset of a bulging disc problem, there may only be spasms in the back or neck, but once the nerves are affected, pain levels increase and may radiate into a leg or an arm.

Herniated Discs
A herniated or ruptured disc is often more severe than a bulging disc. It occurs when a crack or tear in the tough outer annulus allows some of the softer inner nucleus material to protrude out of the disc. Compared with a bulging disc, a herniated disc may be more painful since it typically protrudes farther away from the disc and is more likely to pressure and irritate the sensitive nerve roots in the spinal cord. The irritation usually results in painful inflammation of the nerve root or compression of a nerve.

A Back Pain Doctor in Gaithersburg, MD Can Help with Disc Problems

A Gaithersburg, MD back pain doctor offers chiropractic manipulations (adjustments) that can correct spinal misalignment, stretch the spine, and focus treatment on a localized area. Adjustments can help to move bulging or herniated discs away from the nerves and reduce the pressure on the nerve roots. The result can be pain relief, lowered inflammation, and recovery of function and mobility.

Chiropractic treatment is both non-invasive and drug-free. There is no need for you to suffer from back or neck pain and movement restriction when our chiropractic treatments may be just the help you need. Call the Pain Arthritis Relief Center today and schedule a consultation with a back pain doctor Gaithersburg, MD families trust.