Back pain can affect anyone at any age, and it’s often manageable with modified activity, over-the-counter pain relievers, and other self-care measures. There are times, though, when back pain is best treated by a medical specialist.
Award-winning pain management specialist Dr. John S. Michels provides the Dallas-Fort Worth region with top-level care for acute and chronic pain issues, including those that affect your back.
Here are some guidelines Dr. Michels and his team suggest when contemplating specialty care for back pain and the benefits of seeing a pain management physician.
Because Dr. Michels is interested in accurately diagnosing and treating the source of your pain, he considers several things during your evaluation, including when and how the pain started.
You may, for instance, be able to trace your symptoms to a heavy lift at the gym or an awkward twist when bending down to tie your shoe. Unfortunately, these actions can cause acute back pain due to muscle, tendon, or ligament strains that may take several days to several weeks to resolve.
But your symptoms could also be caused by a herniated disc, compression fracture, or another structural issue that requires a different treatment approach than a soft tissue injury.
Thus, Dr. Michels recommends scheduling an appointment if your back pain:
He also recommends a visit if your back pain develops slowly over time (often starting with early morning stiffness) since this could indicate degenerative changes that can affect your discs, facet joints, and ligaments.
Otherwise, Dr. Michels suggests calling the office or requesting an appointment online whenever you’re concerned about pain.
The type of back pain and other symptoms you’re experiencing also influence how quickly you should schedule an appointment.
For instance, back pain that limits your ability to perform daily activities, such as bending, lifting, or walking, requires medical attention.
Dr. Michels also recommends scheduling an appointment today if you’re experiencing:
He also recommends a visit if you have new or worsening pain following previous back or neck surgery or injury. This could indicate a new disc injury or developing arthritis that may affect spinal nerves and other structures in your spine.
As an interventional radiologist and pain management specialist, Dr. Michels is a specially trained medical professional with extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating acute (sudden) and long-term (chronic) pain conditions.
His pain management techniques include:
Dr. Michels determines the underlying cause of your back pain by conducting a thorough physical examination, reviewing your medical history, and ordering diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
Once he establishes an accurate diagnosis, he develops a personalized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
Dr. Michels considers a wide range of treatments and therapies that reduce pain and improve function, including:
Before proceeding with these therapies, you can also rely on Dr. Michels to discuss treatment details and expected outcomes.
Pain management specialists like Dr. Michels perform minimally invasive procedures to treat your back pain. While highly effective, these in-office procedures do not require a lengthy recovery period.
Above all, Dr. Michels aims to improve your overall quality of life by restoring your ability to engage in everyday work, home, sports, and social activities without pain. Schedule a pain management evaluation today.
