Commonly Asked Questions

Back Pain

What does back pain feel like?
Back pain can range from a sharp or dull pain to tingling, numbness or a burning sensation. It may be tender to the touch or result in limited range-of-motion.

How common is back pain?
Unfortunately, 90% of Americans will have back pain at some point in their lives. This year, millions of Americans will experience a potentially debilitating back injury. For some, they’ll suffer pain or discomfort for the rest of their lives, due to an incorrect diagnosis, improper or inadequate care. According to a 1998 study in the British Medical Journal, 75% of back pain sufferers who do nothing about their back pain will either have pain or disability 12 months later.

What are common causes of back pain?
At the AIMS Clinic, we believe identifying the cause makes all the difference when seeking back pain relief! Back pain is caused by many factors such as: Poor Posture (improper position when sitting, reading, sleeping or working at a computer), Injury (auto, sports or slip and fall), Improper Bending and Lifting Techniques, Inadequate Muscle Strength, Shortened Muscles, Strained Muscles or Ligaments, Scoliosis, Arthritis, Being Overweight, Facet Joint Syndrome, Pinched Nerve, Sciatica, Spinal Stenosis, Bulging or Herniated Disc or Segmental Instability (excess movement between two vertebrae, causing pinching or irritation of the nerve roots).

How do you find the cause of back pain?
Finding this cause, begins with a thorough health history, understanding of the patient’s symptoms, along with a structural and muscular examination. Our Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Teams may perform a manual exam, palpate the spine and conduct specialized testing to analyze posture, range-of-motion, muscle strength and nerve function. Other diagnostic tests may include laboratory blood studies to determine if there is an underlying disorder, x-rays, CAT scan, MRI, electromyography and nerve conduction studies. 

How do I stop my back pain?
After our Team detects the cause or causes of back pain, the proper treatment can be instituted to achieve back pain relief. Treatment may include medications, as well as injections of ligaments, muscles, bursae, joints and specialized injections such as epidural injections or facet joint block injections. Physical Therapy, Chiropractic or Acupuncture may be an integral part of the back pain treatment program.

Can spinal decompression help?
Spinal decompression - traction that may help relieve back pain, may be considered. Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine - taking pressure off spinal discs (gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine). Additionally, spinal decompression is successful in treating neck pain, bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome (worn spinal joints) and radiculopathy (injured or diseased spinal nerve roots). This revolutionary treatment method, which may be covered by health insurance - has resulted in canceling surgeries and allowing people to live life to the fullest. Many patients experience substantial, immediate relief of their symptoms after their first treatment.

Will physical therapy help back pain?
There are several forms of physical therapy utilized for back pain relief.  For acute pain, the physical therapist may focus on decreasing pain with passive physical therapy (modalities). They are considered passive therapies because they are done to the patient, rather than the patient rehabilitating with exercise. Examples of modalities include: Ice (makes blood vessels constrict which decreases the blood flow - helping to control inflammation, muscle spasm and pain), Heat (makes blood vessels dilate, which increases the blood flow - helping flush away chemicals that cause pain, as well as bringing in healing nutrients and oxygen.), Ultrasound (uses high-frequency sound waves to reach sore muscles and other tissues that are over two inches below the surface of your skin, which help flush the sore area and bring in a new supply of blood that is rich in nutrients and oxygen.) Electrical Stimulation (can ease pain by sending impulses to the brain that are felt instead of pain.), Soft Tissue Massage (reduces pain and spasm by helping muscles relax - by bringing in a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood and by flushing the area of chemical irritants that come from inflammation.), Joint Mobilization (changing pressure and movements to the joints to help lubricate joint surfaces to ease stiffness and reduce pain.) and Traction (sore joints and muscles often feel better when traction (pull) is used.).

In addition to passive therapies, active physical therapy (exercise) is also necessary to rehabilitate the spine. Generally, a patient’s back exercise program will encompass a combination of stretching exercises, strengthening exercises and low impact aerobics. Strength and flexibility must be built up gradually - on a gradient level. Doing too much too soon often causes muscle strain. Our physical therapists use functional training to help patients with daily activities. This will include a healthy posture program to keep the spine in safe alignment, reducing strain on the joints and soft tissues around the spine.

Can vitamins or water play a role in alleviating back pain?
Other back pain relief recommendations include staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water to help flush away acidic waste products from the muscles. High levels of acidic waste products in the muscles can cause muscle irritation and pain. Poor dietary choices can lead to chronic inflammation - increasing pain sensitivity. Daily supplementation of Vitamin D can help alleviate a deficiency and low back pain, according to recent studies.

If my back pain is not going away, what should I do?
Many back pain patients treated at the AIMS Clinic have previously treated with various doctors, specialists and therapists, tried bed rest, a multitude of strong drugs and over-the-counter medication and sadly, many have had failed surgery. They come to us because they're still in pain ...and they’ve heard about the success of our program offered here in East Brunswick, NJ. Many are close to losing hope because even after all the consultations, tests and treatments they've been through, they still don't... move like they used to!

Call New Jersey’s own Alternative Integrated Medical Services today at 732-254-5553 and receive a FREE Initial Consultation. Our goal is to provide the most advanced and compassionate pain relief. Our Team of Experts and friendly staff at your local East Brunswick, NJ AIMS Clinic, will help you reduce or eliminate pain and improve function. As our patient, we will teach you how to regain your health with our revolutionary new treatment program.

Learn More About Back Pain

Back Pain - Overview

Back Pain - Causes

Back Pain - Treatment

Back Pain - Testimonials

Back Pain - Articles