Spondylolisthesis and Back Pain
Even if you find that you are not having any noticeable back pain, it is worthwhile to keep note of even the most minor changes in how you walk, sit or even sleep. Minor changes in your gait can be indicative of problems in your back, which can end up as a pain management issue or worse down the line. Spondylolisthesis can be a cause of this, as it is a forward displacement of a vertebra. Should the displacement be backwards, this is referred to as retrolisthesis.
Though there are some people who do not experience any pain at all associated with their spondylolisthesis, some of the most common symptoms include back stiffness, a change in your posture or walk or a feeling of “leaning forward.” In more severe cases, sufferers have mentioned a feeling of “waddling,” or that friends or family have seen a noticeable change in the demeanor of their walk. The pain factor can often be just generalized lower back discomfort. However, this can also include shooting pains down the lower back and through the legs.
This type of condition is important to address as soon as you notice any symptoms. If you are experiencing lower back pain at all for longer than 2 weeks, it is often a good idea to visit a back pain specialist clinic, such as Integrated Spine & Sports. They can run a series of diagnostic tests to help determine not just the cause of your back pain, but also help you to develop a plan to deal with it in a non-surgical way if possible. Starting with a non-aggressive form of treatment is often preferable to most people.
Our approach to treating back pain
By visiting a back pain specialist clinic such as Integrated Spine & Sports, the professionals there can help individually tailor a program to help both manage your symptoms and work on your recovery.
We offer non-surgical options for the treatment of injuries and medical conditions affecting the back, with an integrative approach that may include:
Back Pain Specialists
Our back pain specialists in Manhattan create custom treatments designed to meet the needs of people suffering from acute pain due to injury, as well as those experiencing chronic conditions affecting the muscles, discs, soft tissue and nerves within the back, cervical spine, and neck.
Our integrative team, consisting of a board-certified physiatrist, chiropractors, and physical therapists, offers comprehensive treatment for acute and chronic back pain treatment in NYC.
Back Pain FAQs
Some of the common symptoms of COVID-19 are “aches and pains”. Some patients do experience back pain, especially in the lower back. In some cases, the pain is subtle but constant. In others, it is an intense, pulsating pain, which can radiate down to the legs. If the back pain persists, consult your doctor.
Generally, the best position to sleep is on your back. Sleeping on one’s back ensures that the spine is in a neutral position, which can help with back pain. You can also put a pillow under your knees, legs, and/or lower back to support the natural curve of the spine. This can minimize lumbar pressure and relieve back pain.
If doing gentle back stretches doesn’t do the trick, then try strengthening your core so your spine isn’t struggling to stay upright. Heat therapy and cold therapy can also work well for pain relief. If your back pain is a result of poor posture or a bad workstation setup, make the necessary changes to avoid back pain in the future.
Your back pain is likely serious if it occurs with any of the following symptoms: numbness in lower body, loss of bladder/bowel control, fever, unexplained weight loss, swelling. In such cases, please consult a physiatrist immediately.
Short-term (or acute) back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. This is often the case with back pain, and patients usually recover without medical treatment. Sometimes, it lasts for 12 weeks or longer. This is called chronic back pain, and it can take a while to go away. Medical treatment often helps relieve chronic backpain, so we recommend consulting a physiatrist.
Acupuncture provides short-term relief for chronic back pain. Back pain is actually the number 1 reported reason people seek acupuncture. By stimulating the various acupuncture points associated with back pain, parts of the nervous system are also stimulated, which can help provide pain relief.
