Louisiana Pain Specialists

Back Pain

Back Pain Management Near You

If you’re suffering from back pain, you know how debilitating it can be. Your pain may be the result of a strain or injury that will heal over time with or without treatment, or it could be a chronic condition that requires more intensive care and therapies. In any case, back pain management can be challenging, but we’re here to help.

Types of Back Pain

Back pain is either chronic or acute. Both types of pain can disrupt your daily life, but acute pain typically lasts fewer than 6 weeks. For example, if you strain a muscle when picking up a box of books, you might have acute back pain. Chronic pain, however, lasts longer than 6 weeks and can actually become a disability. It’s more difficult to treat and often has deeper, more complex causes.

Common Causes of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain may stem from several causes. Spinal stenosis (when the spinal canal narrows and causes nerve pain), problems with discs (such as herniated and bulging discs), arthritis of the spine, spinal cord injuries, and myofascial pain syndrome can all cause chronic back pain. After conducting a thorough physical examination, which may include imaging, the pain specialists at Mays & Schnapp can determine the underlying condition causing the problem and propose a treatment plan to help keep the pain under control.

When to Seek Help From a Back Pain Doctor

Seek help from a pain management specialist when your pain continues for an extended period of time, is severe, or doesn’t respond well to common treatments like over-the-counter pain medicine such as NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which include naproxen, ibuprofen and  aspirin. 

You might also want to visit a specialist if your pain is accompanied by tingling or numbness in your limbs. If you want to try alternative treatments that regular doctors don’t provide, a back pain doctor may be the right choice for you. 

Treatment for Back Pain

Your back pain doctor might suggest a number of treatments for your chronic pain. Physical therapy is one option, and a physical therapist can suggest exercises you can try. Massages may work well for you, too. Injection-based procedures are becoming more popular, and one study after another has provided evidence that injections can help with chronic back pain. Injections include nerve blocks, nerve ablations, and epidural steroid treatments. 

A pain management doctor may also suggest some use of pain medicine, such as muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medications, to help provide relief as we address the underlying issue causing the pain. Treatment depends on your situation and medical history. 

Related Treatments

Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant (SCS)

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS, formerly RSD)Who should get a spinal cord stimulator? Pain physicians generally recommend this procedure only after several other conservative treatments have not been successful in relieving your pain. In some cases, you may need to try, and fail, another type of treatment before qualifying for a spinal cord stimulator trial. […]

Radiofrequency Ablation

The RFA Procedure at Mays & Schnapp You’ll be made comfortable on the treatment table while the procedure site is cleaned. After administering a local anesthetic, a radiology tech will be present to guide the fluoroscope (x-ray machine) that your doctor will be using to guide a needle to the targeted nerve. Once positioned, the […]

Physical Therapy

Expert Physical Therapy Services Our physical therapists work hand in hand with your provider to develop the most effective individualized treatment plan for you. Constant communication means your plan can be instantly updated to best suit your unique needs. Your physical therapist will: We’re Hands On With Your Treatment Our physical therapists incorporate hands-on therapy […]

Nerve Blocks

What Types of Pain Can a Nerve Block Be Used For? Nerve blocks can treat several types of pain: Treatment for Chronic Pain Nerve blocks are often used to relieve acute or short-term pain, such as pain related to a surgical procedure, but they can also be used for the management of chronic pain. A […]

Mays & Schnapp Offers Relief From Back Pain

Debilitating and chronic back pain can make even simple tasks feel difficult, but the ideal treatment can help you get back to doing what you love. At Louisiana Pain Specialists, we offer personalized, cutting-edge treatments to target the root cause of your back pain—whether it’s due to an injury, arthritis, nerve issues, or another condition. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve back pain relief through minimally invasive procedures to advanced pain management techniques. For innovative back pain care, call Louisiana Pain Specialists or book an appointment online today.