Back pain service
Who can benefit?
Our service is aimed at people suffering from chronic back pain
- that is pain which does not seem to be resolving. We offer a
range of services for back problems, from diagnostic tests to pain
management. We have the specialist consultants and diagnostic
equipment to pinpoint the cause of pain and recommend an
appropriate intervention.
From 1 October 2011 Clifton Park NHS Treatment Centre will be
launching a "One-Stop" Back Pain Service for self funding patients.
This visit will include a consultation with a Consultant
Orthopaedic Surgeon, plain x-rays or an MRI scan and a follow-up
appointment where a verbal MRI/X-ray results will be given. This
will all take place on the same visit with a written report to
follow. Further treatments can then be organised on the outcome of
these initial investigations.
What treatments are available?
Physiotherapy
The aim of physiotherapist is to identify problems which may be
causing the back pain, so that a regime can be formulated to
maximise potential movement by a series of individually tailored
methods. This is achieved by the physiotherapist gaining an insight
into the client’s lifestyle (social, psychological and cultural
factors), assessing current mobility, identifying weaknesses and
determining desirable outcomes.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional form of medicine which evolved in
China.
It is the practice of stimulating the peripheral nervous system
with needles for therapeutic effect. As an organised system, it has
been in existence for around 2,000 years.
A course of acupuncture can improve the ability to function in
people with chronic low back pain.
Facet joint injections
These are normally carried out in either the cervical (neck) or
lumbar (lower back) joints. Facet joints are situated between each
vertebra; they help to stabilise the spine while allowing movement,
however they can become painful if the joint becomes overloaded.
This pain can make it hard to benefit from other treatments, such
as physiotherapy.
Injections
Injections to relieve pain and allow other therapies a better
chance of working are an important weapon in the armoury of our
consultants. Injections are carried out as day case procedures
whilst under sedation, and patients are able to leave hospital
within a few hours. Whilst they don’t ‘cure’ a bad back, they
should help patients get better.