Back pain is often associated with physical factors like poor posture, heavy lifting, or lack of exercise. However, an often-overlooked cause is stress. The connection between stress and back pain is well-documented, as mental tension can manifest physically, leading to chronic discomfort. Understanding how stress affects spine health and adopting effective stress management techniques can significantly improve overall well-being.

The Science Behind Stress and Back Pain

Stress triggers the body’s natural fight-or-flight response, releasing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. While helpful in short bursts, chronic stress can cause prolonged muscle tension, particularly in the back, shoulders, and neck. Additionally, stress can lead to increased inflammation, which exacerbates pain and stiffness. Studies suggest that individuals under high stress are more likely to experience spine pain relief challenges due to heightened pain sensitivity and muscle fatigue.

How Stress Exacerbates Back Pain

1. Muscle Tension and Spasms: Stress-induced tension can cause muscle tightness, leading to persistent pain.
2. Increased Pain Perception: Psychological stress can make minor aches feel more intense, contributing to chronic discomfort.
3. Poor Posture and Movement Patterns: Stress often leads to hunched shoulders and a rigid posture, further straining the spine.
4. Sleep Disruptions: Anxiety and stress can interfere with sleep, which is essential for muscle recovery and pain reduction.

Mind-Body Techniques for Managing Stress and Back Pain

1. Mindfulness Meditation

Practicing mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress and lower pain perception. Studies indicate that meditation can help individuals manage chronic pain by improving their emotional response to discomfort.

2. Deep Breathing Exercises

Breathing techniques like diaphragmatic breathing or the 4-7-8 method can help calm the nervous system, reducing stress-induced muscle tension.

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a psychological approach that helps individuals reframe negative thoughts related to pain. It has been proven effective in reducing the impact of stress and back pain by changing pain-related behaviors and perceptions.

Effective Stress Relief Habits for Spine Health

1. Daily Movement and Stretching

Regular low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or stretching can relieve muscle stiffness caused by stress. Incorporating back-strengthening routines can also prevent future pain.

2. Yoga and Tai Chi

These mind-body exercises combine gentle movement, stretching, and breathing techniques, reducing both stress and physical tension in the spine.

3. Ergonomic Work Setup

Poor workstation ergonomics can worsen stress-related pain. Investing in an ergonomic chair, maintaining proper posture, and taking frequent breaks can significantly ease discomfort while working.

4. Healthy Sleep Habits

Since stress disrupts sleep, creating a relaxing bedtime routine—including screen-free time, a consistent schedule, and a supportive mattress—can improve both sleep quality and spine health.

When to Seek Professional Help

While stress management techniques can alleviate mild to moderate pain, some cases require professional intervention. Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Persistent or worsening back pain despite lifestyle changes
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
• Difficulty performing daily activities due to pain

Treatment options such as physical therapy, stress management programs, and counseling can provide holistic relief for individuals struggling with stress-related back pain.

Conclusion

The connection between stress and back pain is undeniable. Chronic stress can amplify pain, contribute to muscle tension, and negatively impact spine health. By incorporating mindfulness, exercise, ergonomic adjustments, and stress relief techniques, individuals can break the cycle of stress-induced back pain. Prioritizing mental and physical well-being can lead to long-term spine pain relief and overall health improvements.

The shift to remote work has provided convenience and flexibility, but it has also introduced new challenges for physical health. Many remote workers experience work-from-home back pain due to improper posture, prolonged sitting, and poor workstation setup. Fortunately, making a few adjustments to your workspace and daily routine can help you maintain spine health and prevent discomfort.

How Poor Work Habits Lead to Back Pain

Spending long hours sitting at a desk without proper support can strain the muscles and spine, leading to chronic pain. Common poor work habits that contribute to back pain include:

• Slouching in a chair: Leads to spinal misalignment and increased pressure on the lower back.
• Incorrect screen positioning: Causes neck strain and poor posture.
• Lack of movement: Sitting for extended periods reduces circulation and weakens core muscles, leading to stiffness.
• Using an unsupportive chair: Failing to maintain lumbar support can put undue stress on the spine.

Research from Harvard Health shows that prolonged sitting increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, making it essential to optimize your workstation.

Setting Up an Ergonomic Workspace

Creating an ergonomic workspace is key to reducing strain on your back and improving posture. Here’s how to optimize your setup:

Chair and Desk Setup

• Use a chair with lumbar support to maintain the natural curve of your spine.
• Adjust the desk height so your elbows are at a 90-degree angle when typing.
• Keep your feet flat on the floor or use a footrest to relieve lower back pressure.

Screen Positioning

• Position your monitor at eye level to prevent neck strain.
• Maintain an arm’s length distance between your eyes and the screen.
• Use a document holder if you frequently look at printed materials to reduce repetitive neck movements.

Keyboard & Mouse Placement

• Keep your keyboard and mouse close to prevent overreaching.
• Use an ergonomic keyboard to minimize wrist strain.
• Keep your wrists in a neutral position while typing.

Standing Desks & Alternatives

• Consider using a standing desk to alternate between sitting and standing.
• If a standing desk isn’t available, take frequent standing breaks to stretch and reset your posture.

Posture Tips for Spine Health

Maintaining good posture is crucial in preventing work-from-home back pain. Follow these posture tips:

• Keep your shoulders relaxed and avoid hunching forward.
• Maintain a neutral spine position by aligning your ears, shoulders, and hips.
• Engage your core muscles to support your lower back.
• Adjust your chair’s backrest angle to about 100-110 degrees for comfort.

Simple Exercises to Stay Pain-Free While Working

Sitting for extended periods can stiffen muscles and joints, making movement essential. Incorporate these exercises for spine health into your routine:

Stretching Routines

• Neck Stretch: Tilt your head from side to side and hold for 10-15 seconds on each side.
• Lower Back Stretch: Sit on the edge of your chair and bend forward to stretch your spine.
• Shoulder Rolls: Roll your shoulders forward and backward to relieve tension.

Strengthening Exercises

• Core Activation: Perform seated or standing abdominal contractions to strengthen the core.
• Glute Bridges: Strengthen the lower back by engaging the glute muscles.
• Wall Angels: Stand against a wall and raise your arms up and down to improve posture.

Microbreaks & Movement

• Stand up every 30-60 minutes and walk around.
• Use a timer or an app to remind you to take posture breaks.
• Try desk yoga poses to relieve stiffness.

Additional Strategies for Long-Term Spine Health

To ensure long-term relief from back pain, consider these strategies:

• Invest in ergonomic office equipment, such as an adjustable chair and keyboard.
• Stay active outside work hours by walking, stretching, or practicing yoga.
• Seek professional help from a physical therapist if you experience persistent back pain.

Conclusion

Preventing work-from-home back pain starts with ergonomic adjustments, better posture, and regular movement. By implementing these small but effective changes, you can work comfortably and avoid long-term spinal issues. If you’re struggling with persistent back pain, consider consulting a specialist for personalized care.

Related Blogs:

Our Guide on Treating Chronic Back Pain

Understanding the Role of Physical Therapy in Back Pain Recovery

Physical therapy (PT) plays a crucial role in back pain recovery by addressing the root cause of the pain rather than just managing symptoms. A professional physical therapist develops a personalized treatment plan to:

• Reduce pain and inflammation – Through targeted exercises and techniques like heat or cold therapy.
• Restore mobility and flexibility – Helping patients move freely without discomfort.
• Strengthen the muscles that support the spine – Core stability is essential for preventing excessive strain on the back.
• Improve posture and movement mechanics – Teaching proper sitting, standing, and lifting techniques to avoid stress on the spine.

Unlike medications that only offer short-term relief, back rehab through PT focuses on long-term recovery and improved quality of life.

Effective Physical Therapy Exercises for Back Rehab

A structured exercise program is key to back pain rehabilitation. Here are some commonly recommended exercises:

1. Stretching Exercises

• Hamstring Stretch – Helps loosen tight hamstrings that can contribute to lower back pain.
• Child’s Pose – A gentle stretch for the lower back, improving flexibility and relaxation.

2. Core Strengthening Exercises

• Pelvic Tilts – Strengthens abdominal muscles, reducing pressure on the spine.
• Bridges – Targets the lower back and glutes for better spinal support.

3. Low-Impact Aerobic Exercises

• Walking – A simple but effective way to improve circulation and spine mobility.
• Swimming – Reduces stress on the joints while strengthening back muscles.

4. Postural Correction Exercises

• Wall Sits – Improves posture by engaging core and back muscles.
• Shoulder Blade Squeeze – Enhances upper back strength and posture control.

These exercises, when performed correctly and consistently, contribute to spine strengthening and long-term back health.

Many individuals who recover from back pain experience relapses due to poor movement patterns and weak muscles. Physical therapy helps prevent this by:

• Addressing muscle imbalances – Strengthening weak muscles and stretching tight ones to maintain spinal balance.
• Teaching proper movement mechanics – Educating patients on safe ways to lift, bend, and sit to reduce strain.
• Gradual progression – Ensuring that exercises advance at a controlled pace to prevent overuse injuries.
• Promoting long-term activity – Encouraging patients to maintain an active lifestyle to support spinal health.

Through consistent therapy, patients gain the tools needed to prevent chronic pain and maintain mobility.

When to Seek Physical Therapy for Back Pain

If you experience persistent or recurring back pain, physical therapy may be the right solution. Signs that you should consider PT include:

• Pain lasting longer than a few weeks.
• Limited mobility or stiffness that affects daily activities.
• Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or standing.
• Discomfort that persists despite rest or medication.

Physical therapy can also be beneficial after spinal surgery, helping patients recover safely and efficiently.

Conclusion

Physical therapy is an essential component of spine pain relief and long-term back health. By addressing the root cause of pain, strengthening the spine, and preventing future injuries, PT offers a sustainable solution for those struggling with chronic back pain. If you’re experiencing discomfort, consulting a physical therapist can help you regain movement and enjoy a pain-free life. Contact ASAP today to learn more about personalized physical therapy programs for back pain relief.

Chronic back pain can be a debilitating condition, affecting your ability to work, exercise, and even perform daily tasks. While many people find relief through non-surgical treatments, some cases require spinal surgery to restore function and alleviate pain. But how do you know if surgery is the right choice for you? In this article, we’ll explore when back pain surgery becomes necessary, the most common procedures, and how surgical and non-surgical treatments compare.

When Does Back Pain Require Surgery?

Most cases of chronic back pain improve with non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, medication, or injections. However, surgery becomes an option when:

• Pain persists for six months or longer despite conservative treatments.
• There is nerve compression, causing numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder and bowel control.
• A structural issue such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis is worsening over time.
• There is instability in the spine, making movement difficult and painful.

Common Types of Back Pain Surgery

If non-surgical treatments fail, several surgical procedures may offer lasting relief. Some of the most common include:

1. Discectomy

A discectomy involves removing a portion of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve, causing pain and numbness. It is often used to treat conditions like sciatica and nerve root compression.

2. Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is performed to stabilize the spine by permanently connecting two or more vertebrae. This procedure is commonly used for degenerative disc disease and spinal instability.

3. Laminectomy

A laminectomy involves removing part of the vertebra (the lamina) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It is commonly recommended for patients with spinal stenosis.

4. Artificial Disc Replacement

Instead of fusing vertebrae, this procedure replaces a damaged disc with an artificial one, maintaining spinal mobility. It is often considered an alternative to fusion for chronic disc-related pain.

Comparing Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Outcomes

Before deciding on back pain surgery, it’s essential to compare the benefits and risks of surgical and non-surgical treatments.

Success Rates

• Surgical treatments can be highly effective, especially for nerve-related conditions like herniated discs.
• Non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy and injections provide relief for many patients without the risks of surgery.

Recovery Time

• Spinal surgery requires several weeks to months of recovery, with physical therapy often necessary post-surgery.
• Non-surgical approaches allow for gradual improvement while maintaining daily activities.

Risks & Complications

• Surgical risks include infection, nerve damage, and failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), where pain persists even after surgery.
• Non-surgical risks include prolonged discomfort, but the overall risk profile is lower.

How to Decide if Surgery is Right for You

The decision to undergo spinal surgery should be made carefully. Consider the following steps:

• Consult with a spine specialist who can evaluate your condition.
• Get a second opinion to confirm that surgery is the best option.
• Weigh the risks and benefits, taking into account your lifestyle and long-term health goals.
• Explore all non-surgical options first, unless surgery is urgently required due to nerve compression or severe spinal instability.

Finding the Best Path to Spine Pain Relief

Chronic back pain doesn’t always require surgery, but in some cases, it can provide significant relief and restore quality of life. Whether you pursue spinal surgery or non-surgical treatments, a personalized approach with a specialist is key to achieving the best outcome. If you’re struggling with persistent back pain, schedule a consultation with Advanced Spine and Pain Centers to discuss your treatment options today.

You may know that scoliosis is a disorder where the spine develops a C- or S-shaped curvature, but many don’t realize that girls receive the diagnosis much more frequently than boys. 

Most scoliosis is idiopathic (80-85% of cases), meaning that the exact cause of the problem can’t be determined, but here we delve into why females are more likely to live with scoliosis. 

Dr. Randy Davis, Dr. Brian Lee, and our entire care team at Advanced Spine and Pain provide compassionate and expert care for all patients challenged by scoliosis and particular sensitivity to diagnosed girls and their concerned parents. We’re for families throughout the care journey. 

Our aim is to provide the most cutting-edge scoliosis treatments and to customize treatment plans for each patient so they can be relieved of pain and enjoy the freedom of movement again.

What does a scoliosis diagnosis mean?

Scoliosis manifests in different ways, but the most common symptoms include:

• An asymmetrical, uneven appearance at the shoulders and hips due to spine curvature
• Worsening spine curvature over time, especially as a result of growth spurts
• Clothing may hang unevenly due to curvature
• Lower back pain and limited mobility
• The spine can twist inward as the condition progresses
• In severe cases, trouble breathing and heart and lung issues

It’s easy to understand that when a child or adolescent is dealing with symptoms like these, they are nothing short of life-altering. Depression has been linked to scoliosis, which is understandable since the condition is painful and limiting in and of itself, but treatments or surgery can also pose emotional challenges for young women and girls. 

Reasons that girls are more often diagnosed with scoliosis

Initially, similar numbers of boys and girls are diagnosed with mild scoliosis in the 10-15-year-old age group, but girls’ scoliosis curves are 10 times more likely to worsen and may require treatment. 

Some theories have been put forward about why this is. One hypothesis is that the intense growth spurt that girls experience prior to puberty may contribute to the higher rate of scoliosis in girls. Also, girls who are taller than their peers are at higher risk for scoliosis.  

Another is that the hormone leptin, which signals to your brain that your appetite has been satisfied, may somehow be connected to the development of scoliosis. 

Leptin impacts the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS), and studies have reflected that lower leptin levels are connected to low body mass index (BMI). Low BMI has been associated with idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed in females. Leptin can also fuel spinal changes and contribute to a girl becoming skeletally mature more quickly. 

Finally, some researchers have posited that how a girl’s autonomic nervous system (ANS), which manages the functions of the internal organs, works in conjunction with the endocrine system is linked to female idiopathic scoliosis development. Puberty’s onset and skeletal growth are both impacted by this.  

It’s important to remember that these are all theories and that further study is necessary to confirm them. We may also make additional discoveries about girls and scoliosis along the way. 

Treatments for girls with scoliosis

If your daughter has been diagnosed with scoliosis, we want to answer all your questions and create a treatment plan tailored to her symptoms and needs. We strive to restore your daughter’s movement, eliminate pain, and improve her balance by straightening her spine effectively. 

If her curvature is mild, we may recommend a brace but will advise her on how and when to wear it.  

If she has severe curvature, a surgical solution may be the answer, but these procedures are minimally invasive, and patients heal faster and experience less pain, bleeding, and scarring than with traditional surgery. 

We make a few small incisions and place metallic implants along points in the spine so that the vertebrae are realigned, improving the overall spinal stability. 

These procedures are transformative for all scoliosis patients, as they restore their quality of life and relieve the physical and emotional challenges of scoliosis. 

Call the Advanced Spine and Pain office that’s most convenient for you to schedule an appointment if you suspect your daughter suffers from scoliosis, or use our convenient online booking tool. 

When you experience back pain, what differentiates one type from another isn’t usually on your mind. But it’s good to familiarize yourself with disc condition symptoms, so you can get appropriate treatment. 

Dr. Thomas Raley, Dr. Randy Davis, and Dr. Brian Lee offer progressive treatments no matter which disc problem is causing you to suffer. A combination of factors, some unavoidable, conspire to cause disc degeneration, but the ASAP team has unrivaled tools to remedy your disc issue. 

What is the purpose of discs?

Discs are made from cartilage, and serve as shock absorbers. These anatomical workhorses are positioned between your vertebrae, and each has a tough exterior that surrounds a flexible, soft interior. 

Unfortunately, many factors can lead to disc problems, including:

• Age
• Repetitive movements performed at work or recreating
• Sports injuries
• Falls

Disc pain ranges from imperceptible to debilitating, so it’s smart to team up with a competent orthopedic specialist.

Herniated versus bulging discs: What’s the difference?

As their name indicates, bulging discs do just that: They extend downward and beyond where they should normally be, and only the outer durable layer of the disc is involved.  

Often age-related, a bulging disc is a progressive condition and may not even affect your entire disc. A bulging disc (or more than one) can cause pain in your buttocks, lower back, or neck, but you might feel little to no pain at all. 

What happens when you have a herniated or ruptured disc is less about the disc changing position and more about its soft interior getting exposed via a crack in the outer layer.    

A herniated disc is often caused by an injury or awkward movement, so the onset of pain is typically sudden. 

Occasional confusion, even for doctors

Sometimes even experts have trouble deducing which disc problem a patient has. The conditions can be difficult to distinguish from one another because a disc with several herniations can mimic the appearance of a bulging disc. 

In these instances, imaging tests help us arrive at the correct diagnosis. 

Many treatments for bulging and herniated discs

Since bulging discs can advance to the point of being herniated, we may try to slow progression and relieve pain, if you’re experiencing it, with medication or epidural steroid injections. These shots contain both anti-inflammatory steroids and an anesthetic. Physician-recommended exercises that you do religiously can also help. 

Bulging discs also contribute to lumbar spinal stenosis, where your lower back nerves are compressed. We offer CoflexⓇ decompression and laminectomy surgical procedures for this problem.

Decompression surgery takes pressure off your spinal cord and nerves, and you receive a titanium implant that offers support to your spine. Laminectomy removes the lamina, or the back part of your vertebrae, which also lessens spinal nerve pressure. 

We strive to provide personalized care, and always consult your detailed medical history before we chart a course of action. We also listen carefully to your history of pain, because disc problems aren’t always accompanied by back pain. 

With herniated discs, you may also suffer from neck, shoulder, leg, arm, or hand pain, as well as tingling and numbness. Weakness in your legs or feet may even point to nerve damage, so it’s best to get your pain checked as soon as possible. 

Our diverse treatment menu for herniated discs includes:

• Over-the-counter or prescription medication
• A course of physical therapy
• A lumbar brace for added spinal support
• Facet injections (when steroids are injected into your lower back) 
• Epidural steroid injections 
• Radiofrequency ablation (precise heated energy is directed at your area of pain with a microelectrode) 
• Surgical alternatives

We perform several minimally invasive surgical procedures that provide almost immediate relief for severe herniated disc cases. 

During a microdiscectomy, our surgeon makes a series of tiny incisions over your affected disc, removing parts of your herniated disc through those incisions. This relieves pressure considerably. 

A laser endoscopic discectomy requires just a single incision. Your surgeon inserts a thin tube with a very small camera on it into the proper location to remove portions of your disc and, again, relieve nerve pressure. 

We also perform a minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery, which strengthens your spine. During this procedure, we connect two or more of your vertebrae, which reduces the risk of their shifting and facilitates healing in the same way your body does.  

Finally, a spinal cord stimulator addresses chronic herniated disc pain when nothing else has worked. This device has electrodes that are placed on your spinal pain source and prevent pain signals from reaching your brain. First, we surgically insert it temporarily as a test. If placement proves correct, we insert it more permanently, and you regulate it with a handheld tool. 

Seek disc treatment promptly

Make an appointment to learn about your options by calling one of our offices or booking online.

Though tennis certainly requires you to use your elbow over and over again, the Serena Williams wanna-bes of the world aren’t the only ones affected by the painful condition known as tennis elbow.

Anyone who performs tasks that overwhelm their elbow tendons is at risk, like people who work in the trades, musicians, and many others. One thing is certain: They’d all agree that tennis elbow sidelines them when they can least afford it.

Dr. Thomas Raley, Dr. Randy Davis, and Dr. Brian Lee have the combined experience and expertise to treat your tennis elbow-related pain and immobility so you can return to doing what you love the most, even if it’s actually playing tennis!

Our compassionate team at ASAP Advanced Spine and Pain is dedicated to creating a treatment plan that’s designed for you and you alone. 

What are the symptoms of tennis elbow?

You feel tennis elbow pain on the outer portion of your arm where your elbow and forearm connect. It occurs when tendons that connect your forearm muscles to your outer elbow sustain tiny tears. 

The pain that results from tennis elbow can also radiate down your forearm and your wrist, making it difficult to perform common, everyday activities, like gripping a coffee mug. 

What can be done to alleviate tennis elbow?

If you’ve tried the least invasive therapies, such as taking over-the-counter pain medications or limiting your movement, and your pain either worsens or doesn’t go away, you need to investigate other solutions. 

Surgery is another option available to tennis elbow sufferers in traditional and minimally invasive forms, but each has its own risks as well as challenges that accompany recovery.

The surgical team at ASAP offers an exciting pain management treatment that’s a game changer for tennis elbow: stem cell therapy.

How does stem cell therapy work?

Stem cell therapy is a modality that’s part of an exciting field called regenerative medicine. 

Perhaps the most amazing quality of stem cells is that they can, in essence, shapeshift. They’re able to renew themselves through division and as they do this they can also become tissue- and organ-specific. 

Stem cells can restore tissue that’s damaged or, within a certain environment, become organ cells. 

Stem cell therapy involves harvesting your own blood’s stem cells and injecting them into an area where your tissues have been harmed. The stem cells fuel healing. 

Stem cell therapy for tennis elbow

When your doctor uses stem cell therapy to treat — and usually cure — your tennis elbow condition, the procedure’s basic steps include:

• An in-office blood draw
• Numbing a small spot on the rear portion of your hip, and taking a sample of bone marrow using a fine needle
• Processing your blood and stem cells at a lab 
• Separating your blood from its platelets using a centrifuge

Next, we inject this stem cell-rich plasma and bone marrow mixture into your elbow, which harnesses your body’s own healing powers. The process also stimulates collagen production, an important protein that’s crucial for keeping connective tissue strong. 

We’ve seen extraordinary results by treating our patients afflicted with tennis elbow with stem cell therapy. Their healing is accelerated and, most important, the pain vanishes and they have freedom of movement again. Stem cell therapy has also been shown to reduce risk for future injury. 

Are you a candidate for stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy may be just the solution for your case of tennis elbow. Arrange to meet one of our physicians at any one of our seven offices located throughout Maryland and Northern Virginia. Call us or book an appointment online. 

Chronic pain isn’t just physical. It can spur hopelessness and worry about whether you’ll ever be back to normal and free of discomfort again — just ask the 10% of adults who suffer from hip pain. 

Our expert provider team at Advanced Spine and Pain (ASAP) treats your hip pain with innovative approaches and creates a customized treatment plan for your specific symptoms. Our extensive experience and commitment to caring make ASAP a premier orthopedics practice centered on delivering the best in advanced care.

The burden of chronic hip pain

Occasional hip pain slows you down — chronic hip pain stops you in your tracks. It may be the result of:

• A chronic condition, like arthritis or osteoporosis
• An injury, such as a fracture
• An irritated sciatic nerve (sciatica), which runs along your buttocks and hips
• Bursitis, or inflamed fluid-filled sacs between muscles, tendons, and bones 
• Tendonitis, or inflammation of thick tissue bands that connect bones to muscle

Normal wear and tear, trauma, and repetitive movements all contribute to hip pain that can worsen over time and limit your ability to perform all sorts of daily tasks, as well as playing sports. 

Additional symptoms include a burning sensation in your hips, tingling or numbness, and swelling. Living like this can make it impossible to move normally or even put full weight on your affected leg.

One often-used treatment for hip pain is steroid injections, and we might even recommend multiple injections during your treatment, depending on the severity of your symptoms. They deliver steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and local anesthetic to the painful area. 

We inject epidural steroid injections into the lower spine, which addresses the pain that radiates to the hip. Some patients experience immediate relief, some notice relief after a few weeks, and others report no effect at all. 

Although effective for many, epidural steroid injections have a few side effects, including pain at the injection site, the possibility of pain worsening right after treatment before it gets better, and infection risk. 

We’re happy to report that you have plenty of other treatment options to try, which can stop your hip pain and get you moving freely again.

Alternatives to steroid injections for hip pain

Because our practice offers diverse care options to our patients, we’ve got several successful treatments that can eradicate your hip pain.

1. Taking it easy

Simply resting and limiting your activities can sometimes be enough to resolve your hip pain and allow you to move normally without discomfort again. 

2. Pain medication

Your ASAP provider may recommend over-the-counter or prescription pain medication to relieve hip pain. 

3. Physical therapy

Your physical therapist can provide manual PT to treat your symptoms and recommend exercises and stretches you can safely do at home. Often, a combination of a pain medication regimen and physical therapy can work wonders. 

4. Regenerative treatments

Regenerative medicine is an exciting treatment arena that centers around harnessing your body’s own natural healing powers to stimulate healing and address pain. 

We offer platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), a concentrated mixture of your platelet-abundant plasma that we inject into your hip. You can also receive this therapy during and after hip surgery to hasten healing.

We also offer stem cell therapy, another minimally invasive pain treatment administered via injection. Amazingly, stem cells are self-renewing and can heal and replace damaged tissue. Like PRP therapy, we use your own blood and bone marrow for the treatment. 

In addition to faster healing, stem cell therapy helps lower your risk for future hip injury, increase hip function, and promote greater collagen production. Collagen is an all-important protein in your body that preserves the integrity of everything from your bones and skin to — you guessed it — your joints.

Rest assured that we can treat your hip pain creatively and successfully, freeing you from your painful burden. When you gain relief, your body doesn’t just thank you; you’ll feel like a distressing emotional burden has been lifted off your shoulders (and hips).

Contact the Advanced Spine and Pain office that’s most convenient for you to schedule an appointment today or book one online. 

Back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Injury and degeneration can cause chronic back pain and make you miss work and the activities you used to enjoy.

Your spine consists of a series of bones and a spinal canal. The bones help hold up your torso, and the spinal canal contains nerves that connect your brain to the rest of your body. If there is inflammation or any other damage in or around your spinal canal, the nerves can become compressed or pinched, which can lead to chronic back pain.

There are many treatment options available for back pain, but everyone experiences pain differently and not every treatment works for everyone. For patients who don’t find relief with traditional treatments, a spinal cord stimulator may help.

A spinal cord stimulator is a small device that attaches to your spine to stop or inhibit pain signals. At Advanced Spine and Pain, our expert doctors can give you a thorough examination and see if a spinal cord stimulator can help you.

Spinal cord stimulators quiet pain signals

When you get injured or your nerves get damaged, your nerves send pain signals through your spinal cord to your brain. Pain receptors in your brain receive the signals, and then you feel pain sensations.

A spinal cord stimulator sends a low-level electric current to the spinal cord. This current interferes with the pain signals, thereby dulling or eliminating sensations of pain. You can get customized pain relief with a spinal cord stimulator, because you can adjust the strength of the electric current.

A spinal cord stimulator can reduce the need for strong prescription pain relievers. Furthermore, it’s a reversible procedure, which means you can have the stimulator removed if desired.

Spinal cord stimulators offer relief from chronic pain

Our doctors may recommend spinal cord stimulation as a treatment option for hard-to-treat chronic conditions that cause back pain. Common conditions that respond well to spinal cord stimulation include:

• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Neuropathy
• Spinal cord injuries
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Degenerative disc disease

You can try a spinal cord stimulator for a few days to determine if it’s effective before you have the device implanted. If you find relief during the trial run, our doctors can implant a spinal cord stimulator.

The surgery typically doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay. Using small incisions, your provider attaches electrodes to your spine. The electrodes are connected to a pulse generator that is implanted in your upper buttocks. The generator is controlled by a handheld device, and the strength of the electric current can be adjusted to mask the pain signals you experience.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans living with chronic back pain, it’s time to find out if a spinal cord stimulator can relieve your pain and improve your quality of life. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Advanced Spine and Pain today.

Pain anywhere in your body is uncomfortable and distressing, but joint pain is especially frustrating because it limits your ability to move. Walking, carrying things, and even typing on a computer can be limited by shoulder pain.

You want to feel better again so you can get on with your life and do the things you need and want to do. Advanced Spine and Pain has six offices to serve you, located in the Arlington, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland regions. Our team of highly skilled and experienced doctors provides you with a variety of cutting-edge pain management services. 

What causes shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain is a common ailment. It is estimated that 18-26% of adults have shoulder pain at any moment. Many different possible causes of shoulder pain include a number of injuries and conditions, such as:

• Rotator cuff tendonitis
• Impingement syndrome
• Broken arm or shoulder
• Arthritis
• Bone spurs
• Pinched nerve in shoulder or neck
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Shoulder dislocation

The only way you can be sure of the exact cause of your shoulder pain is to get examined by a doctor.

How is shoulder pain treated?

The treatment for shoulder pain will depend on exactly what is causing the pain in the first place. Your doctor will thoroughly examine you and order diagnostic testing, if necessary, in order to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.

Medications

A number of medications can reduce or eliminate your shoulder pain. These can address the inflammation that is causing the pain. Steroid injections are another option that allow the medication to be delivered exactly where you need it to provide quick and lasting relief. 

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can help you heal from injuries without the risk of re-injuring yourself. Physical therapists develop treatment plans to strengthen your body to reduce pain and allow you to regain your lost ability to move fully. 

Stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy is a revolutionary type of treatment that uses special cells from your own body to help you heal. To complete this treatment, your doctor removes a sample of blood from your body and isolates the stem cells, which can turn into any other type of cell in your body. Then your doctor re-injects these into your body where they are needed.

Platelet-rich plasma

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is another treatment type that uses a sample of blood from your body, from which your doctor removes the platelets, which are special healing cells. Your doctor then concentrates these platelets in the liquid part of your blood called plasma and re-injects them. These platelets travel to the site of injury and jump start the healing process.

Surgery

If you have experienced severe joint damage or deterioration, surgery might be the best option to repair your joint and allow you to get better. After surgery, physical therapy can help support your healing safely and quickly.

Shoulder pain is a common ailment that can severely impact your quality of life and ability to do those things you need to do. There are a number of treatment options that relieve your pain and allow you to heal and get back to your life.

If you are looking for relief from shoulder pain, call Advanced Spine and Pain, and set up an appointment today, or use our online booking system.