Choosing a back pain clinic in Toronto can be a daunting task. Sometimes asking a relative or friend who they see can be a good way to get a referral. Otherwise, some research can determine what problems various back pain clinics in Toronto treat. Of course, knowing a bit about your own back pain will help as well.
Back pain doesn’t have to be something that flattens you. It’s often something that makes people want to cry – it’s painful and your spine is one of the most important areas of your body. If you don’t take care of it properly, you’re going to find yourself in big trouble with no support.
Our spines often wear down over time, especially with repetitive motion, and it’s this wear and tear that takes its toll, putting us in pain. It’s a running joke that as people get old, they tend to throw out their backs easily. The truth is, back pain is a common theme for adults over 30. Unfortunately, it’s not a joke and when you do feel that back pain, you need to know when to get your lower back pain fixed by a chiropractor.
And as much as back pain may be common, it is never normal. So finding a back pain clinic in Toronto to help you get back to feeling your best is a worthy endeavor.
Finding the best back pain clinic Toronto has to offer could be the next step in your pain management. You may have heard of sciatica before. This is pain that is localized to the lower back extending into the legs. The one thing that you need to do is learn what it means for your body if your back pain gets too much. Do you know when to contact a back pain clinic in Toronto? If not, read on.
The Spine
The spine is a column in your back that has 24 vertebrae in a stack. Through the center, there is the spinal cord and in between each vertebra is a padded disc filled with a gel-like fluid allowing you to move and bend with ease. These discs absorb force on the spine while nerves run from here to the spinal cord in every space between your vertebrae.
Inflammation can impact every area of your body, and when the discs shift and create pressure on the nerves in your spine, that’s when pain begins to radiate. There are some severe conditions that can result from back pain, and there are certain conditions that indicate you should be taking yourself to a back pain clinic.
Ruptured Disc
Damage to your spinal discs can occur in simple acts during your day-to-day life. If a disc slips out of place, the pain can be excruciating and it can cause long-term damage. A ruptured disc can compress a nerve and, in severe cases, it can render you unable to walk. This condition wouldn’t often be permanent, however, additional treatment is often required to manage pain.
Sitting can make the pain of a ruptured disc much worse, and it can come on very suddenly. Movement can relieve the pain, but not for everyone. Treatment usually starts with strong medication, and exercise can also help, but if these things aren’t working, then getting to a back pain clinic in Toronto is the smartest thing to do.
Most of the time, ruptured disc pain can go away without medical attention. The body has to work to absorb disc material, and this can take weeks. You need medical attention immediately if your bowel and bladder are affected or if your legs go weak and numb. You could be dealing with cauda equina if this is the case.
Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is very common with age and it’s all because of gravity. Gravity pulls the vertebrae closer together causing the discs to dry out resulting in rubbing that becomes degenerative and painful. You need that cushion between each of the vertebrae and without it, the pain is debilitating.
Pain from spinal stenosis causes difficulty in walking, however, it is not as obvious as the pain caused by damaged and ruptured discs. The pain can affect your legs, back and cause you issues with standing and sitting. This is a chronic condition and that means that it cannot be cured. However, the pain can be managed effectively and that can be done with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with other treatments.
Getting Help at a Back Pain Clinic in Toronto
Of course, there are more than two back issues that require help from time to time, so it is important to consider how you can get the right help with back pain. To have your lower back pain fixed by the chiropractor, you will need to be honest with your provider and explore your options. Some of the options for helping back pain include:
- Medication: NSAIDs – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – are safe for flares of back pain. However, they’re not suited for long-term pain relief and use. They can be associated with heart issues and strokes as well as an increased risk of liver issues. Talking to your back pain clinic is the best course of action for regular flare up as they can walk you through the drugs to take and their dosage. When it comes to medications, either prescription or over the counter, always consult with a medical provider or pharmacist.
- Spinal Injections: At the right medical back pain clinic, you can get spinal injections that will help you to relieve your pain. Corticosteroids can also reduce inflammation when delivered by injection exactly to the pain sites. It’s a good way to ensure that you relieve the pain in your back.
- Therapy: One of the best ways to get help from a lower back pain clinic is with physical therapy. Exercise is actually the best long-term approach including physical therapy in the form of manipulation and massage which can be the best thing to help you.
- Walking aids: Leaning on something to walk can really help you to improve the strength in your back and give your pain a rest.
- Spinal surgery: Laminectomy and spinal fusion can help you to relieve the pressure and pain in your spine. Laminectomy can relieve pressure on the nerves and fusion can help to fix the vertebrae in place with rods and screws. It does have drawbacks, however, because there is a six-week recovery time involved. During recovery, the spine is immobilized and kept still.
With so many treatment options available depending on your condition, the best thing you can do to get a handle on your back pain is speak to a pain clinic and get help right away. Not everyone can benefit from surgery, but talking to experts will be the first step to getting you back on your feet.
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Our office is a member of ChiroTrust and has taken The ChiroTrust Pledge:
“To the best of my ability, I agree to provide my patients convenient, affordable, and mainstream Chiropractic care. I will not use unnecessary long-term treatment plans and/or therapies.”
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Toronto Neck and Back Pain Clinic
1849 Yonge Street Suite 412 Toronto ON M4S1Y2
www.DKChiroBlog.com
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Open:
Mon 8:00 to 10:00, 12:00 to 1:00, 3:00 to 6:00
Tue 8:00 to 10:00, 12:00 to 1:00
Wed 3:00 to 6:00
Thu 8:00 to 10:00, 12:00 to 1:00, 3:00 to 6:00
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Walk-Ins Welcome or To Make an Appointment,
Call 416-960-9355
Or visit www.torontoneckandbackpain.com