When back pain develops, it’s often advisable for the first medical point of contact to be the person’s Family Doctor in Andover Kansas. Although general practice doctors do not specialize in treating back pain, they can diagnose the cause and prescribe medication if this is advisable. They also can refer the patient to a physical therapist if therapy would be beneficial for healing the cause of the pain. Physical therapy also can be used to manage chronic pain through a variety of exercises and other strategies. After the individual receives a definitive diagnosis from a physician, this patient can decide whether to seek chiropractic treatment as a complementary therapy to conventional medical care.
Diagnostic methods as ordered by a doctor might include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans. The physician wants to learn whether the person has developed problems such as a herniated disc, inflamed tendons or a compression fracture in the vertebrae. Some individuals are affected by degenerative arthritis in the spine, which is associated with aging. Suitable treatment options can be discussed once the cause of discomfort is determined.
Acute back pain caused by an injury may become chronic at a lower level of discomfort. The patient may want the option of prescription pain medication when pain is severe. Over-the-counter painkillers may be enough, but there’s an advantage for many people of getting a prescription for ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen from a Family Doctor in Andover Kansas. Their health insurance may cover prescriptions, whereas they’d need to pay for non-prescription drugs out of pocket. Doctors can also provide other drug-related therapies, including corticosteroid injections that are very helpful for many patients with back pain.
Regular checkups at a clinic such as Wichita Family Medical Specialists are also important if the person may one day decide that surgery is the best option. When someone suffers from long-term, debilitating back pain, surgery can provide relief. The family physician will refer the patient to an orthopedic surgeon and will be able to provide full documentation of the person’s medical records. More information on this particular clinic can be viewed at the website
