Workplace Wellness: Pain treatment offers relief and hope

Research shows that up to 84 percent of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Sometimes low back pain can be frequent, returning often, or become chronic which means the pain persists for 3 months or more.

According to the Health Policy Institute, 16 million American adults live with chronic back pain. Even in jobs that are not physically demanding, back pain is debilitating, leading to missed workdays and unproductive workdays. Back pain is also the leading cause of disability worldwide.

At the Mankato Clinic Pain Management Center, we understand that back pain impacts people’s lives in so many ways – their family, career, relationships, home, health, sleep, physical activity – everything.

Common causes of lower back pain are excessive physical efforts such as twisting and lifting improperly, pushing, turning, holding and carrying. For those who work at desks or on production lines, improper ergonomics and posture along with repetitive motions can cause pain.

Many people suffer from neck pain. Usually, neck pain is musclerelated. Muscle tension, cramps and strains can all cause discomfort. You may have heard of “tech neck,” which is pain that comes from holding one’s neck still for long periods while using phones, tablets and computers. The result is neck and shoulder pain, stiffness, soreness and even headaches.

Neck and back pain can also be caused by compression of the spinal nerves. Herniated discs, osteoarthritis and spinal fractures can press against the nerves and reduce the space around the spinal nerves.

People with chronic back or neck pain can benefit from pain management treatments. Pain specialists strive to limit or avoid patient dependence on medications, including opioids, and extreme surgeries.

Treating chronic pain begins with a very thorough history, physical exam and diagnostic imaging studies to pinpoint the cause of the pain. Each patient is unique and what works for one patient may not work for another patient even if the pain is coming from the same place.

Once we identify the root of the pain, we recommend an individualized treatment plan based on many factors including age, condition, medical history and previous treatments. We usually begin with non-invasive treatments, such as physical therapy, activity modification and non-opioid medications. If these treatments do not relieve pain, there is a wide range of minimally invasive therapies such as cortisone injection therapy.

Many patients find relief from low back pain with these injections. With fluoroscopy/x-ray guidance, injections are precisely placed in the pain origin.

Ifechi Anyadioha, MD Mankato Clinic Pain Management Center Madison

East Center, Mankato 507-625-7246

Some insurance plans require a referral. Talk with your primary care provider about the Pain Management Center.

Treating pain takes an all-in approach. A treatment plan may also include behavioral health therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, alternative medicine such as massage therapy, lifestyle changes and medication management.

When chronic pain is not addressed or managed, it can progress and become permanent, hard to control and quite disabling. Early treatment is key. Pain management helps people restore function, relieve pain and renew hope.