When you got hurt on the job, you hoped that you’d be able to return soon. The problem is that your pain level hasn’t improved, and the spinal injury you suffer from isn’t bad enough to commit to surgery. Despite that, your pain is bad enough that you need to find a solution to work the way you did before.
Spinal injuries have a potential to push on nerves, to cause the misalignment of the muscles, ligaments and tendons and to cause muscular issues. Fortunately, there are different treatments you can try that could help you get back to as normal a life as possible.
1. Taking prescription medications
Initially, you must remember that the spine needs time to heal. During this time, you should rest it appropriately and take any prescription medications prescribed for relaxation or pain. For example, if you have a muscle relaxant, it’s a good idea to take it to stop the muscles from spasming or becoming tight. This is not a long-term solution, but it does help keep the muscles loose. Some patients may require this medication after an injury for a short time or after particularly hard days at physical therapy.
Other prescriptions, like narcotic pain medications, have a potential to lead to addiction, but they have a place in pain management when the pain is intense and expected only in the short term.
2. Steroidal injections
Some people respond well to steroidal injections. These reduce pain by eliminating inflammation that puts pressure on the nerves.
3. Physical therapy and bracing
Physical therapy helps keep patients mobile and encourages the strengthening of muscles that support the spine. Many patients benefit from using back braces during workouts or while they work, since the brace keeps the spine in alignment and reduces strain during healing.
No matter how or why you got hurt, it’s important to get the right treatments to get well. With good support and pain management, it’s possible to work through the pain of a spinal injury.
