When dealing with back pain treatments in Edmonton, Alberta, it’s crucial to consider several factors to alleviate the discomfort and promote healing. The first step is to obtain a precise diagnosis, which serves as a roadmap for effective treatment and outcomes. There are several potential causes of back pain, and a healthcare professional, with their expertise and experience, can perform a differential diagnosis to identify the specific source of the discomfort. Their guidance is essential for effective treatment and results.
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Common causes of back pain:
- Muscle strain or sprain
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Skeletal irregularities such as scoliosis
- Infections
- Tumors
- Kidney stones or infections
“For most back pain cases, the key factor is distinguishing between muscular and spinal back pain.”
This differentiation is crucial as it guides the choice of treatment and management. Seeking a comprehensive evaluation and accurate diagnosis from a healthcare provider is a critical step in effectively managing back pain.
Table of Contents
Muscular vs spinal back pain
Muscular Back pain
Muscular back pain typically involves discomfort originating from the back muscles, often due to strain or overuse. We can consider two types of muscular pain.
Chronic Muscular Back Pain – As its name suggests, you have this pain for a few months or years; it has its app and downs. It may feel like a dull ache or soreness, stiffness in the morning, difficulty bending, getting up, or pain when lying down. Exercise and stretches can relieve chronic back pain.
Acute Muscular Back Pain—Strat suddenly, usually following a bad movement. It is severe, very painful, and limiting. It can be much more painful than chronic back pain and is accompanied by muscle spasms and stiffness that can cause bedriddenness. Some movement can increase the spasm, and rest is often recommended. When one has Chronic muscle pain and doesn’t treat it, it can aggravate into acute back pain or, worse, spinal back pain.
Spine-related Back pain.
On the other hand, spine-related back pain originates from issues within the spinal column, such as herniated or bulged discs, arthritis, or spinal stenosis. The pain is caused by pressure on the nerve, and it might radiate to the buttocks and leg. While it is still treatable, it is, in many cases, unreversible, meaning the disc will always be vulnerable.
This back pain may result in more intense, intolerable, sharp, or radiating pain that can extend into the leg and feet. Additionally, spine-related back pain might be associated with tingling, numbness, heat or cold feeling in the leg, or weakness of the muscles.
It’s important to differentiate between these two types of back pain to ensure appropriate treatment and management. Seeking a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional is crucial in identifying the underlying cause and determining the most effective course of action for relief and recovery.
How to approach back pain:
- Origin: Asses the cause of the pain, whether muscular or spinal.
- Assess the severity of the pain. If it’s mild, remember that you can take control of your discomfort with self-care measures such as rest and gentle stretching. This proactive approach can make a significant difference in managing your back pain.
- Activities: Consider which activities or movements exacerbate the pain. Avoiding strenuous activities and adopting proper posture can help alleviate discomfort.
- Duration: Note how long the pain persists. Acute back pain typically improves within a few weeks with appropriate self-care, while chronic pain may require ongoing management.
- Lifestyle: Evaluate your daily habits and work environment to identify potential triggers for back pain. Making ergonomic adjustments and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to long-term relief.
- Medical History: Consider any previous injuries, falls, car accidents, medical conditions, or surgeries that may be related to back pain. Communicate this information to healthcare providers for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
By considering these factors, individuals can make informed decisions about managing back pain and seeking appropriate medical care when necessary.
The six best treatments for back pain and their advantages:
- Acupuncture for back pain- Acupuncture is recommended for most back pain, whether of Muscular origin, herniated or bulging discs, arthritis, or chronic and acute inflammation. In acute conditions, it is recommended to treat distally, meaning not to put needles directly in the spasmed muscles. In the Balance method, acupuncture results are often seen immediately.
- Chiropractic for back pain – Adjusting the vertebrae is good for spinal problems as it can quickly put them back into place. The adjustment can be overwhelming for some, and some may have residual pain after the treatment. Chiropractic can provide immediate relief if the spine is out of place. It is not recommended for older people or people with problems of the spine that the manipulation can aggravate. Some warming or softening of the muscle is recommended before the chiropractic treatment.
- Osteopathy for back pain- This treatment works on the joint, fascia, and muscle and can be seen as a cross between massage and chiropractic. It is longer than the short chiropractic one and is, in some ways, more holistic and gentler. It is recommended for chronic pain to help with posture or out-of-place ribs or vertebras.
- Physiotherapy for back pain – This medical approach is based on the patient doing self-correction and homework exercises. It is suitable for helping with recovery and correcting movement habits. Combined with other therapies, it can be helpful for most back pain.
- Massage therapy for back pain is excellent for relaxation and works primarily on muscular back pain. It is widespread and easy to find a therapist. A word of caution for people who suffer from herniated or bulged discs: If the massage therapist is unaware, they can apply stronger pressure on the spine and aggravate the condition. If you have this issue, it is better to go to the same RMT instead of random ones.
- Surgery for back pain (in severe cases) – Surgery is recommended only in acute cases if you have tried multiple treatments in other methodologies with different therapists and have not found relief. While surgery can be successful, it can also create unrepairable damage. If you have surgery, it is recommended that you support the recovery and lifestyle with other therapies and exercise.
Self-treatment
Exercise is vital. Strong, flexible muscles, good posture, and healthy habits are essential.
“The most crucial principle in back pain management is to prevent the aggravation of muscular back pain to sciatic pain.”
This is an unreversible aggravation, and most people with muscular back pain need to understand it since it can dramatically affect their lives. Exercise and appropriate treatment is the best way to fix the pain and maintain health for a long time.
Back exercise for acute pain: Relax, lie down, and have a hot bath. Pain medication, when prescribed by an MD, can be effective only for a few days. Long-term consumption of pain medication can be risky. Light, gentle stretching is recommended, but not strengthening exercises.
Back exercises for chronic back pain: Any movement that doesn’t cause more pain is recommended. Strengthening the core muscles, abs, lower back, and legs is essential, as well as stretching the lower back and Psoas muscles.
Generally speaking, low-impact cardio exercises, such as swimming, stationary bikes, rowing, and elliptical, are recommended for back pain. Walking can be okay for some, but running or playing sports can worsen the pain. It is also recommended to combine different exercises to shift the pressure created on the back, hip, and knees. If you are unsure, get advice regarding the appropriate physical activity from a professional.
Six Best Back Pain Treatments Clinics in Edmonton, Alberta:
First, decide which methods you want to use. It’s okay to use between one and three methods, but using more than three simultaneously can confuse the body. There are many good clinics for back pain in Edmonton; we chose that list based on personal experiences and recommendations, and we will strive to update this list over time. Eventually, personal connection and trust with your therapist are very important.
This clinic uses Balanced methods of acupuncture that can demonstrate immediate relief of the pain, proving whether it can help you or not. Other techniques are electro-acupuncture, cupping, herbal therapy, and exercise recommendations. Elad Shalev Dr. Ac. has been practicing acupuncture since 2004.
This clinic offers chiropractic treatment in West Edmonton; Dr. Dan Levi has been practicing since 2006. The clinic also offers massage, foot biomechanics, and orthotic therapy.
Provides chiropractic and physiotherapy services in south Edmonton.
A team of massage therapists and yoga classes in two locations in south and west Edmonton.
Integral physiotherapy is a team of physiotherapists that offers physiotherapy, IMS, spinal decompression, shockwave therapy, and shift concussion management programs.
It is located in Kaye Edmonton clinic, part of Alberta Health Services. This chronic spine assessment clinic evaluates whether surgery is warranted. The clinic does not provide conservative treatment. Conservative treatment options should be trialed at least three months before a referral.
We hope you will feel better soon.
If you are unsure which treatment is best, please use the form below to contact us for advice.
