For persistent pain, assistance from a rheumatologist should be obtained. Treatment should be directed at the specific cause of pain. Management techniques include pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and rehabilitation exercises. Mechanical back supports are usually recommended for limited periods of time in certain situations, such as post-operative patients. If these techniques fail within a reasonable time, injections with local anesthetics and steroids can be helpful.
Surgery can be very helpful when non-operative therapy fails.
Spinal cord stimulators and morphine pumps have been used in some patients whose pain does not respond to more conservative therapy. The Rheumatologist's Role in Treating Back Pain Rheumatologists are appropriate physicians to complete evaluation of patients with back pain and to plan a treatment program. Since surgery is indicated for only a small percentage of patients, it is likely that a rheumatologist can significantly impact the cost of back pain by reducing hospitalization, expensive imaging procedures, excessive physical therapy visits, and surgery. Each of the products described within the VHS Web Site is being sold as a dietary supplement in accordance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. The FDA has not evaluated the products developed, manufactured, and marketed by Viable Herbal Solutions .