As a leading cause of disability, back pain often worsens during the winter holidays, when colder weather and added stress are more likely to take a toll on body and spirit.
At Interventional Pain Consultants in Parsippany, Montclair, and Landing, New Jersey, pain management physicians Kevin Elaahi, MD, and Benjamin Kim, MD, can make your holidays less stressful with a full scope of treatment options for back pain and beyond.
You may suffer from back pain for a variety of reasons, such as:
Nerve compression, such as sciatica, may also create back pain, leg pain, as well as numbness and/or tingling in your legs or buttocks.
Our team diagnoses your problem and develops a customized treatment plan. Most cases of back pain respond well to non-surgical procedures like:
Our team also offers regenerative medicine options, such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, to address back pain.
We also suggest you follow time-honored practices to reduce back pain, including:
Bend your knees, not your back, when lifting heavy objects off the floor.
Keep your upper arms parallel to your spine and your back pressed against the back of your chair when sitting. While standing, bend your knees slightly and shift your weight from one foot to another from time-to-time to alleviate pressure.
Your lower back carries the weight of your entire upper body, so it’s crucial to keep your core muscles strong. We can provide specific exercises to help you build this area.
Tight muscles put additional stress on your spine. Simple stretches help:
Walking at least 30 minutes each day also helps you stay fit and maintain a healthy weight. Our team can also refer you to a physical therapist for additional help, when appropriate.
An astonishing three in four adults over the age of 20 are overweight or obese. Excess weight puts added pressure on your spine, leading to poor posture and back pain. If you’re in an unhealthy weight category, it may be time for a change.
What you eat is nearly as important as how much. Include calcium-rich foods to build bone mass, such as milk, cheese, almonds, and tofu; boost your vitamin-D intake with fatty fish and egg yolks.
Anti-inflammatory foods help curb arthritis and other painful conditions. Increase your consumption of:
Decrease unhealthy, inflammatory foods, including:
We can also recommend specific food plans, such as the Mediterranean diet, to lower inflammation, improve your overall weight and fitness, and help ease chronic back pain.
We realize it’s tempting to overindulge during the holidays. Balance is key. Cold weather also leads to increased sensitivity to pain and less exercise, contributing to muscle tightness and back pain. Luckily, we’re here to help diminish your pain and make your season bright.
Call or click online to schedule an appointment at your nearest Interventional Pain Consultants office in Parsippany, Montclair, or Landing, New Jersey, today.
