Education

Pain Relief

Pain relief through a focus on function

Pain is a signal from the body to the brain that something is wrong. Either theback is too weak, too inflexible or the wrong body mechanics were used to perform a task. Doctors who focus exclusively on pain symptoms often recommend treatment that is the exact opposite of what is actually needed.

Historically, doctors have treated back pain with bed rest and heavy drugs to mask the patient’s discomfort. However, this type of treatment is actually more damaging to the back. It causes back muscles to weaken, which leads to more strain and pain. Patients became dependent on drugs and grew inactive and disabled. Pain relief can actually be achieved through movement. Low-impact sports such as walking and swimming are ideal in making the back feel better and stronger.

Working with a therapist may be necessary for optimal recovery from back or neck pain. Therapists are able to relieve pain using specialized techniques, tissue and joint mobilization and personalized exercises. A therapist is also trained to recognize the boundaries of back and neck pain patients, in order to maximize therapy without causing further injury.

The most important way to relieve pain is perhaps to PREVENT back strain by not lifting heavy objects that can cause a painful back or neck strain.

Dr. Rory Mayer is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon based in Austin, Texas with Texas Spine and Scoliosis, which is a regional spine center of excellence. This multi-disciplinary spine center combines the expertise of fellowship-trained orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons; physical medicine doctors who provide non-surgical treatment options for back pain and neck pain including spinal injections; and spine specialized physical therapists — all under one roof. The regional spine center is referred patients from across Central Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, Houston, East Texas and West Texas. International patients from cities across Mexico — including Mexico City, Monterrey, Hermosillo and Merida — come to the spine center for second opinions for spine surgery and treatment for scoliosis (curvature of the spine); spinal tumor and artificial disc replacement. Dr. Mayer in particular specializes in adult scoliosis, treatment and correction of flatback syndrome, removal of spinal tumor, minimally invasive spine surgery and artificial disc replacement surgery.