Finding non-surgical options for back and neck pain in the Panama City area can be difficult. The Bay County area often does not have services available that you can find in larger cities. This article will break down several options that you may want to consider that can be found in this area. Each can be used separately, but they are sometimes used together to provide the patient with all possible options before resorting to surgical approaches.

Chiropractic adjustments refer to a chiropractor applying a specific force to the vertebrae in the spine that may have abnormal movement or be out of position relative to adjacent segments. This force must be directed specifically to correct misalignment or is it simply random manipulation or so-called “popping a joint.” I often demonstrate the difference by saying that it is similar to your home thermostat. To correct the temperature when hot, you need to specifically set the thermostat to the new temperature you want, not just push the bar all the way to the left. Chiropractic adjustments are one of the most common treatments for back, neck, leg, or arm pain. Appropriate chiropractic treatments are performed specifically for each patient to reduce the misaligned or abnormally functioning vertebra, resulting in a greater range of motion, less irritability and nerve pain, and better function. Many times, a patient will receive the same adjustment each time they are in an office until the correction is achieved, but rarely will two different patients get the exact same adjustment.

Decompression therapy is another form of nonsurgical treatment for herniated and bulging discs and helps doctors treat low back (low back) pain and neck pain. The DRX9000C is an example of a decompression table that provides spinal decompression. Many tables that offer decompression are not true decompression tables, so be sure to choose wisely here. Decompression table treatment provides a unique non-surgical treatment for pain and disability management in patients suffering from herniated disc and bulging and low back pain and sciatica. A well-designed system will apply spinal decompression forces to areas of the spine that are compressed or degenerative. The decompression area must be specific to the area being treated to be effective. The system must also be able to “trick” the muscles protecting the area into negative pressure internally. Decompression treatment should definitely be considered if you have a confirmed disc problem and are facing surgery for any of the following conditions, herniated discs, bulging or protruding intervertebral discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica.

Pain management focuses on the use of interventional techniques, such as facet joint injections and nerve root blocks, to provide immediate pain relief so that physical therapy and lifestyle changes can be used to long-term relief. Pain management must be performed by a certified pain management physician. These procedures can be performed in the office or, on occasion, can be performed at local surgical centers when necessary. In Panama City, find an office that provides a full suite of services for these procedures so that you can quickly schedule your appointments in case you need quick pain relief from an insult or injury. Reducing pain through injections can make patient outcomes faster due to decreased spasm and inflammation in some cases. Injections can be used with decompression to provide immediate pain relief followed by adequate cure of the underlying problem.

Physical therapy can be passive or active and is tailored to the needs of each patient at the time of clinical evaluation. Passive therapies include interference therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and others. Cold lasers can be used to relieve pain and help heal traumatized tissues.
Supervised exercises in the office. Often times, the area of ​​spinal care that is overlooked is the core muscles around the spine. If these muscles that control our movement and balance are left out of the picture, the problem will reappear at a later date. The use of Swiss balls and balance boards can help many patients continue to feel relief long after treatment and prevent recurrence. Doctors may prescribe various cardiovascular, stretching, and strengthening exercises to decrease back pain, increase strength, and help restore range of motion. Doctors may prescribe exercises that strengthen under-active muscles and / or weaken overactive muscles with the goal of achieving muscle balance and a balanced structure. Doctors can also have patients do exercises that strengthen weak and under-active muscles in the trunk and pelvis, and exercises that stretch tense and overactive muscles.

Massage therapy can be used alone, as well as in combination with other treatment modalities to help with tissue stretching and reduce spasms, as well as to promote relaxation and decrease the formation of scar and fibrous tissue after a injury.

Acupuncture in some cases can be beneficial, but there are few resources here in Panama City where the doctor is a full-time acupuncturist. But this service can be of great clinical value in some cases.

These are some of the non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques that you can find right here in Panama City, FL and if you are looking for services elsewhere, try to remember these options.