Newport Beach Neck & Back Pain Treatment

Cutting-Edge Pain Management Methods

Neck and back pain affects just about everyone at some point during their life. About 80% of adults report one or more episodes of neck and back pain, which is a common cause of job-related disability. Men and women are both afflicted by neck and back pain, which may be mild and dull or severe and sharp.

Contact the professionals at the Regenerative Institute of Newport Beach to schedule an appointment for neck and back pain treatment in Newport Beach.

Types of Back & Neck Pain

Lower back pain is the most common type of chronic pain, affecting 27% of patients surveyed. Neck pain affects around 15% of patients. In addition, neck pain occurs slightly more often in women than in men. People who develop chronic neck pain include those with cervical spine conditions, and people who sit in one location for long periods of time (for example, at your desk or computer). *National Institute of Health Survey

Acute back pain comes on suddenly and is usually caused by an injury or trauma to the back. Chronic back pain typically lasts for 12 weeks or longer and can be the result of several underlying conditions such as arthritis or nerve damage. The specialists at the Regenerative Institute of Newport Beach can help diagnose these underlying causes and recommend treatment options.

Risk factors for neck and back pain include:

  • Age – Neck and back pain usually begins between 30 to 50 years old. It is more common among older adults.
  • Fitness – The more physically fit you are, the lower your risk is for neck and back pain. Weak muscles cannot support the spine, which causes severe problems for patients over time.
  • Weight –Excessive weight gain puts stress on your skeletal structure, specifically your neck and back. This results in pain, sometimes severe pain, over time.
  • Genetics – Certain neck and back conditions may be inherited, such as ankylosing spondylitis.
  • Occupation – A job that requires heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, and twisting often leads to neck and back pain. Jobs that require chronic vibration or long periods of sitting at one time may also cause severe neck and back pain over time.

Conditions causing neck and back pain often include:

  • Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
  • Herniated disc
  • Radiculopathy
  • Myofascial pain
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spine instability
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Scoliosis

How Is Neck and Back Pain Treated?

The treatment of back pain depends on the cause of your pain. The neck and back pain doctor at the Regenerative Institute of Newport Beach offers a variety of treatment options.

Treatment options include:

  • Physical therapy – Physical therapy helps strengthen the muscles that support your neck and back. The physical therapist will work with you to improve mobility and flexibility of the spine. Pain relief measures include cold and heat therapy, electrical stimulation, and massage.
  • Medications – Dr. Khyber Zaffarkhan may prescribe prescription-strength medications for relief of pain and/or inflammation. Other medications include antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical creams, which reduce the sensation of pain.
  • Non-surgical spinal manipulation – Dr. Z is highly trained in non-surgical spinal manipulation and mobilization using his hands. This type of therapy involves adjustments, manipulation, and massage of the back and neck to improve pain.
  • Nerve blocks – To block pain from specific areas of the body, this approach involves injecting long-lasting anesthetics, with or without steroids, near the nerve root. Nerve blocks have an 80% success rate, based on clinical studies.
  • Epidural steroid injection (ESI) – For immediate, short-term pain relief, Dr. Z can inject a corticosteroid, with or without an anesthetic agent, in the epidural space (right outside the spinal cord).
  • Trigger point injections (TPIs) – Dr. Z can inject painful trigger points with an anesthetic. According to recent studies, this procedure has a 90-100% success rate in reducing or eliminating pain.
  • Radiofrequency ablation – This is a revolutionary procedure for neck and/or back pain. It provides approximately one year of consistent pain relief. Studies show that repeat treatments can be just as effective as the first treatment.
  • Facet blocks/medial branch blocks – This is an in-office outpatient procedure that involves injecting a numbing medication, with or without steroids.

For more information on our experienced neck and back pain doctor in Newport Beach, CA, contact us at (949) 301-8683.

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