Do you need a good night's sleep? Have you been up most of the night because of back pain? You may have insomnia because of your back pain. I personally have treated many patients that were suffering from this problem. I can tell you that I have treated thousands of patients for back pain, and prior to seeing them many had tried everything they could think of to get comfortable. Some patients have told me it had gotten to the point they are literally praying for sleep, because they had their sleep ruined due to back pain.
It is not uncommon for back pain to drive a patient to sleep in the recliner or on the couch propped up with pillows, just to get some pain relief. It is common for some to sleep on the floor next to their bed, put boards under their mattress, or purchase all different types of pillows: hard, soft, contour, and memory. Putting a body-pillow between the knees is a method many of my patients had tried. Sufferers that have tried everything are desperate and are praying they can just sleep.
Some back pain may resolve in a short time, and there can be temporary reasons for the pain. However, it can be a more serious problem, if the symptoms persist. Back pain and interrupted sleep can become a cycle, even though back sufferers try so hard to get some sleep. Many of my patients told me they had slept in every bed in the house, just like Goldilocks. Because they cannot sleep, they keep their spouses awake by tossing, turning and having the television on, or playing soothing music. While they are surfing late-night television, it is common that they watch infomercials and buy things such as inversion tables, aids for sleeping, diet, or exercise programs; all for the hope of pain relief and sleep.
Leading a sedentary life, improper posture, and sitting and peering at your computer screen can all be causes of back pain. Another reason is carrying weight around the middle. Pregnancy or simply being overweight can have the same results. Continually carrying around a child or carrying a heavy purse on one shoulder can cause back pain. Back pain can be temporary or short-term.
If the pills do not help you, on the next visit when you see your doctor, he or she will probably tell you to go to a physical therapist. If you are still in pain, when you go back to your doctor again, then you may get to have X-rays or MRIs to figure the actual diagnosis and exactly what is wrong. If you are diagnosed with a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease, you may be referred to an orthopedic specialist or a neurologist. At that point, they could recommend having an injection (epidural) which may help short-term: two months, two weeks, two days, or not at all.
If your pain continues, surgery may be recommended. After surgery, some patients are very disappointed because they still have pain and some of the previous symptoms. I call this process a "medical pipeline".
There may come a point, where your specialist recommends back surgery. Some surgeries are successful - while others are not, and without saying, these patients are extremely disappointed. If you need to continue to take pain medications long-term, then you will be under the care of a pain specialist. At this point, you would have a diagnosis of "failed surgery syndrome".
It is not uncommon for back pain to drive a patient to sleep in the recliner or on the couch propped up with pillows, just to get some pain relief. It is common for some to sleep on the floor next to their bed, put boards under their mattress, or purchase all different types of pillows: hard, soft, contour, and memory. Putting a body-pillow between the knees is a method many of my patients had tried. Sufferers that have tried everything are desperate and are praying they can just sleep.
Some back pain may resolve in a short time, and there can be temporary reasons for the pain. However, it can be a more serious problem, if the symptoms persist. Back pain and interrupted sleep can become a cycle, even though back sufferers try so hard to get some sleep. Many of my patients told me they had slept in every bed in the house, just like Goldilocks. Because they cannot sleep, they keep their spouses awake by tossing, turning and having the television on, or playing soothing music. While they are surfing late-night television, it is common that they watch infomercials and buy things such as inversion tables, aids for sleeping, diet, or exercise programs; all for the hope of pain relief and sleep.
Leading a sedentary life, improper posture, and sitting and peering at your computer screen can all be causes of back pain. Another reason is carrying weight around the middle. Pregnancy or simply being overweight can have the same results. Continually carrying around a child or carrying a heavy purse on one shoulder can cause back pain. Back pain can be temporary or short-term.
If the pills do not help you, on the next visit when you see your doctor, he or she will probably tell you to go to a physical therapist. If you are still in pain, when you go back to your doctor again, then you may get to have X-rays or MRIs to figure the actual diagnosis and exactly what is wrong. If you are diagnosed with a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease, you may be referred to an orthopedic specialist or a neurologist. At that point, they could recommend having an injection (epidural) which may help short-term: two months, two weeks, two days, or not at all.
If your pain continues, surgery may be recommended. After surgery, some patients are very disappointed because they still have pain and some of the previous symptoms. I call this process a "medical pipeline".
There may come a point, where your specialist recommends back surgery. Some surgeries are successful - while others are not, and without saying, these patients are extremely disappointed. If you need to continue to take pain medications long-term, then you will be under the care of a pain specialist. At this point, you would have a diagnosis of "failed surgery syndrome".
About the Author:
Want to find out more about sleep disorders and back pain#1, then visit Dr. Richard E. Busch III's site on why you have back pain keyword #2 and what you can do.
