Give Your Back a Break
Y Dr. Karl Vega-Lelkes
our back is like a hard-working machine. It gives strength to your movements and supports most of your weight. With all this work to do, it’s no wonder the back is prone to injury and strain. In fact, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 80% of adults experience lower back pain at some point in their lifetimes.
HOW IT HAPPENS
“Most patients who come in with back pain are older and they generally sit at a desk all day — or maybe they’ve done some sudden heavy lifting,” said Dr. Karl Vega-Lelkes, a boardcertified orthopedic spine surgeon with Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land. Conditions such as arthritis, a bulging disk in the spine, muscle spasms, obesity, osteoporosis and scoliosis can also contribute to back pain. Depending on the source of your back problem, you may experience acute pain (lasting no longer than a few weeks) or chronic pain (lasting for months or years). Most of the time back pain is self-limited, but may require certain interventions that can alleviate pain. Surgical evaluation is recommended if you develop continuous radiating pain or if you experience progressive weakness, numbness and dysfunction.
GETTING RID OF THE PAIN
Whether it’s a strain or spasm, you can treat most minor back pain at home with a combination of hot and cold compresses, rest and anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen. You might be tempted to spend a few days in bed, but that isn’t really going to help. It’s actually better to keep up your back strength by remaining active. Whether your pain is severe or you are experiencing every day discomfort, a spine specialist can perform an exam to determine the source of the discomfort and prescribe a
COVID-19 Update
THE BENEFITS OF A NURSE COORDINATOR All patients of Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center Christina Duenez, at Sugar Land work with Christina Duenez, a neuroscience BSN, RN clinical resource nurse who helps facilitate their care. Patients can rest assured that they have a nurse advocating for their needs. A nurse coordinator helps patients navigate and coordinate care from initial contact to the first visit with a specialist. Benefits of working with a nurse coordinator include: Speaking to a licensed professional immediately over the phone. Being directed to the right specialist based on the symptoms described to the nurse coordinator. For acute pain, seeing a spine specialist within five business days.
treatment plan that includes options ranging from acupuncture to physical therapy to injections. In the event these treatments don’t relieve your pain, surgery may be recommended. The goal of all treatment is to help you live as pain-free as possible.
If you’re currently suffering from back or neck pain, don’t wait until it becomes unbearable. We can safely treat you now. Our back and neck pain specialists are available to safely see patients virtually or in person, as needed, to provide comprehensive back and neck care. Visit houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl to request an appointment online or call 281.274.7979.
2 LEADING MEDICINE IN FORT BEND AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES
