Many Doctors Feel Magnetic Resonance Imaging For Back Pain Ineffective
Patients with very bad lower back pain often undergo X-rays or imaging scans to locate the source of the problem. But new research shows scanning to find the source of back pain may be more harmful than helpful.
Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland looked at 6 scientific studies made up of nearly two thousand people with lower back pain. They proved that back pain patients who underwent scans didn’t get better any quicker or have less pain, depression or anxiety than people who weren’t scanned. More important, the data found that people who get scanned for back pain may wind up with more pain than those who are not scanned, according to the report published this week in the medical journal Lancet.
About two thirds of adults wind up suffering with low back pain at one point or another in their lives, and low back pain is the second most well known symptom that lands people in their doctors office (upper respiratory problems are first). Research show that more than half the people who see a doctor for back pain undergo X-rays or another imaging study as a result.
The problem, say researchers, is that back scans can bring out physical changes in the back that aren’t really causing any problem. One well known research from The New England Journal of Medicine put 98 people with no back pain into a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Even though all of them had healthy backs, two out of three of them came back with magnetic resonance imaging reports that showed disk problems.
You can see lots of different things on X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging like degenerative disks and arthritis, but these things are very weakly correlated with low back pain, said study author Dr. Roger Chou, associate professor of medicine at Oregon Health. We think we’re helping people by doing a test, but we’re increasing cost, exposing people to radiation and people may be getting unnecessary surgery. They begin to think of themselves as having a horrible back problem and they cease doing exercise and things that are good for them, when in reality, a lot of people have degenerative disks and arthritis and have no pain at all.
Dr. Chou said people should ask their physicians why a scan or X-ray is needed rather than using pain relief and exercise to cope while a back mends on its own. Most back pain gets better within 30 days if a person takes normal precautions after a pain episode. If back pain goes on for more than a month, or if symptoms suggest a more extreme problem like an infection or tumor, then an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging may be needed, Dr. Chou said.
I think people should ask themselves whether they really do need it, Dr. Chou said. From a societal perspective, it’s important because we’re wasting an abundant amount of money that could be used for better things. But from an individual patient’s view, doing X-rays and M.R.I.s can lead you down a road that you don’t want to go down.
Some Different Ways To Help You With The Pain
One of the best natural methods is acupuncture. A recent study conducted in the UK showed that people who underwent the acupuncture therapy not only experienced a large reduction in pain, they also were less likely to use pain killers. But, you need to check with your doctor to make sure that you are physically ready to undergo acupuncture. Capsaicin cream is another popular back pain remedy- it is actually an analgesic, which means that it depletes the neuro-chemicals that transmit pain. Be careful when using this as it can cause stinging or burning if you get it on wounded skin or your eyes.
Proper vitamin intake can also help beat a bad spine. Studies have shown that chronic muscle pain is often caused due to a deficiency of vitamin D. You can easily supplement this by eating more cereals and drinking fortified milk. It's also interesting to note that music is an effective form of back relief. How? Most back-related problems are related to stress. This often causes the muscles to get tense and bunch up, thus causing pain. Listening to soothing music can soothe you and cause those tense muscles to loosen up.
You can also treat a bad back with exercise. This method will also increase your body's overall strength and flexibility. Those who have opted for exercise have experienced a decrease in pain, increased mobility and a reduced dependancy on medicines. So the next time your back starts acting up, don't just reach out for the medicines. Instead, meet with your doctor and find out what's actually wrong. Then you can simply find a spine relief method that would actually work for you.
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When it comes to back pain, sufferers can relate that anything goes in the battle to alleviate discomfort. Back pain can significantly disrupt your life leaving you incapable of performing simple activities. And while an evening rest may be a respite for some, for those suffering from back pain, being in bed only leads to restless tossing and turning. It’s no wonder that more and more people turn to back pain medication to allow them a reprieve from discomfort and promote healing.
