Trigger Point Injections to Treat Back Pain

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Trigger points were first introduced to the medical community over 50 years ago and continue to be a controversial explanation for back pain.

Likewise, the use of trigger point injections as an effective treatment for back pain has not been conclusively established.

In a 2008 study published in Pain Medicine, the safety and efficacy of trigger point injections to treat chronic pain syndromes was investigated. The conclusions from this study indicated:

1. Trigger point injections are safe when applied by adequately trained health care providers.
2. The net benefit of trigger point injections in the treatment of back pain is questionable.

According to lead author, N Ann Scott, PhD

“The efficacy of trigger point injections is no more certain than it was a decade ago, as there is no clear evidence of either benefit or ineffectiveness.”

The results of this study are consistent with my observations of patients who have undergone trigger point injections to treat back pain. When asked whether the injection therapy was working, the answer I usually get is, “I think so.”

Sometimes people want so desperately for their pain to go away that they will “convince” themselves that their current therapy is working when, in fact, it is doing little to nothing to affect their condition.

The flip side is that the “psychological” benefit will sometimes do as much, if not more, than the physical effects of the therapy - the old “mind over body” thing.

My advice: If trigger point injections are actually helping you, great, keep doing them. If, on the other hand, you have to convince yourself of the effectiveness or you’re getting no benefit at all, don’t waste your time or money.

Remember, only one type of treatment for back pain has been consistently shown to be effective and that is active rehabilitation. The Erase Your Back Pain program utilizes the active rehabilitation model in establishing a targeted exercise program for your particular condition.

Additional back pain treatment information:
Prolotherapy
Epidural injections
Facet joint injections

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

Sciatica and Back Pain Management: New Home Treatment Device May Be Effective

Sciatica and back pain are conditions where the symptoms naturally wax and wane in terms of frequency and intensity. Treatment for sciatica and back pain ranges from evidenced based therapies to the latest “snake oil” remedy. While the majority of sciatica and back pain cases represent a medical enigma, one thing is for certain; very few treatment options are actually effective.

My purpose here is to provide you with a review of a popular treatment option for the management of sciatica and back pain. My hope is that the information provided will assist you in making better decisions for the management of your particular condition.

To relieve lower back pain and sciatica, spinal decompression, improving muscular flexibility, and enhancing one’s posture are all treatment options advocated by many health care professionals. Specific treatment ranges from high tech traction devices to very simple stretching exercises. Look in any magazine or land on any late night infomercial and you’re sure to come across some form of back care treatment claiming to “end back pain forever”.

True Back Device
One such device advertised on the Internet is the True Back. The True Back claims to be a non-powered orthopedic traction device that helps eliminate pain by decompressing the spine and lengthening the muscles of the back.

The unit is made of a single piece of hollow plastic approximately 24 inches long by 10 inches wide, making it very light weight. The top of the True Back has a center channel that the bony part of the spine lies in. On either side of this channel are 15 pairs of suspension posts that are situated in such a way as to provide constant pressure to the muscles on either side of the spine. On the outside of these posts, are two removable foam cushions.

How It Works
To use the True Back, a person positions the unit so that the center channel lines up with the center of your back. From here, you simply lay back on the device as shown here.

The spine is suspended in the center channel while the weight of the body is supported on the suspension posts. The prolonged pressure provided to the spinal muscles results in a relaxation effect. While lying on the True Back, you are encouraged to take slow, deep breaths and allow your body to relax. Treatment time is a steady progression based on your tolerance and can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

The manufacturer of the True Back claims that the device provides spinal traction or decompression. This claim can be argued as there is no actual separation of the vertebral bodies themselves as you would expect to encounter with traction or decompression. That being said, however, one could argue that the front portion of the vertebrae in the thoracic spine move sway from one another while on the device resulting in an “apparent” elongation of the spine and an overall improvement in posture.

My Recommendation
The True Back Device is a handy device to assist with improving upright posture and spinal mobility, specifically that of thoracic and lumbar extension. Its use will also assist in improving the flexibility of the abdominals, anterior neck, chest, and shoulder musculature. For this reason, I would recommend the use of the True Back in treating the Backward Pelvis and Forward Head Syndromes as defined here: 4 Common Causes of Sciatica & Back Pain

Keep in mind, however, that, while I like the device in certain respects, it, in no way, represents a “final solution” to back pain. The medical research is quite clear in its assessment of back pain treatment options; active treatment has more long term benefits than does passive treatment. The True Back IS passive treatment and should only be utilized within the context of an active rehabilitation program and only for specific conditions.

Perhaps some of you have used the True Back and would like to comment. I certainly would like to know your experience with this device, especially the effects it had on your sciatica and back pain.

Of course, anyone with a question or comment, feel free to fire away in the comment section below. Oh, by the way, if there is something you’d like me to review related to anything back pain, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT,MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

Low Back Pain Treatment: The Role of Physical Therapy

Low back pain treatment options can be confusing. Often times treatment is not specific and falls in to the “over the counter” methodology, meaning that the treatment approach is directed towards reducing symptoms and not addressing the actual problem.

Having observed the low back pain treatment methods used by physical therapists over the past 26 years, I am of the firm opinion that the vast majority of physical therapists have no business treating low back pain. Why? Because most physical therapists don’t have the advanced training necessary to evaluate a patient with low back pain effectively much less treat the underlying cause of the problem. The sad truth is that most physical therapists treat patients with low back pain symptomatically.

There are exceptions, however, and not all physical therapists are the same. Here’s an interview with a physical therapist who represents the exception. Listen carefully to how he approaches patient care. It’s what the role of a physical therapist treating back pain should be.

Please take a moment to leave me your comments by filling in the form below. I appreciate your feedback.

If you’re suffering with back pain and would like fast relief, click here ====> End My Back Pain Now!

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

Inversion Therapy For Back Pain

Inversion therapy is often utilized in the treatment of back pain, sciatica, and herniated discs. However, some people report that inversion therapy was not beneficial in alleviating their back pain.

To help you get the maximum benefit from inversion therapy, I’ve put together a video that describes what you need to do to end your nagging back pain. [Read more]

Back Pain Treatment: Do You Have The Right Physical Therapist Treating Your Back Pain?

Back pain treatment by a physical therapist is very common. But did you know that there are light years of differences in the skill levels of physical therapists that treat back pain? [Read more]

Back Pain Treatment: Spinal Decompression Video

Back pain treatment utilizing spinal decompression has been previously discussed. I was able to find this video that does an excellent job of describing the process for disc herniation, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease. [Read more]

Back Pain Treatment: Physical Therapy or Chiropractic?

Back pain treatment can take many forms ranging from pain management with medications to alternative management such as acupuncture. Two treatment approaches that are considered “mainstream”, include physical therapy and chiropractic. But what exactly do these back pain treatment options offer? [Read more]

Back Pain Treatment: Walking As A Back Pain Prevention Exercise (Part 2)

Back pain treatment that incorporates activity is vastly superior to passive treatment. One activity that requires no
special equipment, doesn’t cost you anything, and you can do right now is walking. [Read more]

Back Pain Treatment: Walking As A Back Pain Prevention Exercise

Back pain treatment that incorporates exercise and activity is arguably the only types of intervention that have been shown to prevent back pain. Walking is an excellent activity as a back pain prevention exercise provided that it does not reproduce your pain. Even the most acute back pain can be improved by short distance walking.

Prior to beginning any walking program, a good pair of walking or running shoes is essential. Aside from proper fit, the most important feature of a shoe for a person with a back condition is the heel counter and sole. [Read more]

Back Pain Treatment: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Back pain treatment ranges from the ultra scientific to the totally outrageous. But, in my experience, there are two types of back pain treatments in this world, those with loaded guns and those that dig…

OK, Malton, what does a spaghetti western have to do with back pain? And my answer is what was written on rock that identified the grave in which the $200,000 in gold was buried. [Read more]

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