Back pain is one of if not the most common pain condition in the world, and because so many people suffer from acute or chronic back pain, there are countless remedies for every ailment. While many conservative care techniques are similar in manner (rest, ice, exercise, dietary changes, physical therapy, etc.), new research suggests that heading to a specialist and developing a personalized treatment plan tends to yield better recovery results than generic treatment.
That makes sense, but why exactly is getting a personalized spinal care plan so important? We explain in today’s blog.
The Importance Of An Individualized Spine Treatment Plan
When it comes to treating spine pain, oftentimes it’s best to head to a physician and get a specific diagnosis and treatment plan instead of relying on the internet for answers. Here’s why:
- Treating The Right Problem – Many back problems have similar symptoms, in that you have pain, difficulty walking or limited range of motion. By getting an evaluation from a specialist, you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with and begin treating the correct underlying issues.
- Cuts Out The Fat – A personalized plan will be hyper focused on treating your specific condition, whereas general back pain treatment options can treat a variety of surface level issues. This way you’ll know that you’re not wasting your time taking anti-inflammatory medications for a disc issue that needs physical therapy.
- You Won’t Make It Worse – If you do your research online and believe you’re dealing with one condition, but you’re actually dealing with something else, your treatment routine may actually put your spine at risk. If you need rest and eventual surgery, but you’re trying to strengthen the area with stretching and weight lifting, you could end up making the problem worse. That won’t happen with a treatment plan tailored to your condition.
- Information Resource – If you are following a care plan you found online, where will you turn if you have questions or concerns? If you get an individualized care plan from a physician, you can call the doctor or their office with any questions or concerns you might have. They can be a reliable source of information throughout your treatment.
- Yields Better Results – A recent study out of the University of Limerick found that patients who were treated with an individualized care plan had better treatment results than those who followed general care guidelines. Patients who received individualized care for their back issue were significantly less disabled when assessed at a future follow-up date compared to those who followed a general care routine. If you’re interested in making the fastest and fullest recovery possible after a back injury, do your body a favor and set up a consultation with a spine specialist.
For more information about the benefits of individualized spine care, or to start your journey to full health by meeting with a spine specialist, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
