Do You Need An MRI For Back Pain?

Given the difficulty of diagnosing back pain, patients are often eager to try every available diagnostic method. There is a popular idea among pain patients that MRI scans are a necessary part of diagnosis. For many reasons, this is a misconception.

The MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans use a large magnet to surround the patient with a magnetic field that excites the water molecules in his or her body. MRI films capture the image of these excited molecules and end up with an accurate, detailed picture of the patient's spinal anatomy. MRIs are more thorough than X-rays, which mainly show bones. MRIs show softer tissues, such as discs, nerves, muscles and ligaments as well as bones.

This kind of imaging test is a great advance in diagnostic science, allowing medical professionals to detect disc abnormalities, nerve obstruction, tumors and infections. However, for the typical back pain patient, MRIs may not be especially useful.

"Normal Abnormalities"

Some in the medical community have dubbed certain changes within the spine "normal abnormalities." This particularly applies to disc degeneration. Spinal discs wear with age and use. A variety of studies reporting the findings of spinal MRI scans have included people without back pain. Findings have varied, but disc degeneration was detected by scans in an average of about 30% of asymptomatic people. This means that an MRI may show a problem, but that the problem may not be causing your pain.

Uses

MRIs are very proficient at detecting disc and nerve abnormalities, but for most people, the cause of pain lies elsewhere. At least 80% of the population suffers from lower back pain at some point; for about 5%, the pain is caused by a disc problem with nerve impingement. MRIs also detect tumors and infections around the spine, but these are even rarer than nerve and disc problems. The type of pain you feel and the correlating symptoms you have should help to confirm or rule out discogenic pain, nerve impingement, spinal tumors or infections. Most commonly, the cause of back pain is muscle or ligament strain. This can take anywhere from days to a few months to heal with conservative treatment.

Cost

Nobody wants to sacrifice their health to save a few bucks, but the limited usefulness of the MRI combined with its cost can be taken together as reason enough not to rush into it. You can expect a scan to cost around $2,000, but much more or slightly less depending on where you live. Insurance companies don't always offer full reimbursements for MRIs.

MRIs are best reserved for people whose pain is not resolved by months of conservative treatment and those who immediately represent severe symptoms associated with nerve impingement, tumor or infection. If the medical professionals treating you don't order a scan right off the bat, it doesn't mean they aren't doing their jobs. If all they do is give you pain pills, however, it does mean they aren't doing their jobs. Diagnosis of back pain should involve a physical exam, questions about your medical history and, if no cause is apparent to the doctor, a trip to the physical therapist for a muscle balance check and to the chiropractor for alignment testing.

MRIs aren't needed by everyone, or even most people with back pain. As long as your doctor is taking other steps to understand the source of your pain, you don't need to rush the MRI.

Safe choices for pain management solutions exist. Educate yourself in alternative solutions for back pain management. Please ask questions, give comments or stories related to this article submission regarding back pain management.

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Can Genetics Help Back Pain Sufferers?

It has been reported that a gene responsible for chronic pain has been identified, with scientists saying this could lead to drugs for treating long-lasting back pain. Writing in the journal Science, University of Cambridge researchers removed the HCN2 gene from pain-sensitive nerves in mice. Deleting the gene stopped any chronic pain but did not affect acute pain. About one in seven people in the UK suffer from chronic back ache, which can also include arthritis and headaches.

The researchers say their findings open up the possibility that new drugs could be developed to block the protein produced by the HCN2 gene, which regulates chronic pain. The HCN2 gene, which is expressed in pain-sensitive nerve endings, has been known for several years, but its role in regulating pain was not understood.

For the study, the researchers removed the HCN2 gene from pain-sensitive nerves. They then carried out studies using electrical stimuli on these nerves in cell cultures to determine how they were altered by the removal of HCN2. They then studied genetically modified mice in which the HCN2 gene had been deleted.

By measuring the speed that the mice withdrew from different types of painful stimuli, the scientists were able to conclude that deleting the HCN2 gene abolished neuropathic pain. However, they found that deleting HCN2 did not affect normal acute responses - which occurs suddenly, for example when biting one's tongue.

Chronic aches comes in two main varieties. Inflammatory pain occurs when a persistent injury, such as a burn or arthritis, results in very sensitive nerve endings which increase the sensation of hurting.

Neuropathic pain occurs when nerves are damaged, causing ongoing pain. This type of chronic response, which is often life long, is surprisingly common and is poorly treated by current drugs, the study says. It is often seen in patients with diabetes and shingles, and in the aftermath of cancer chemotherapy. It is also common in lumbago and other chronic conditions.

Individuals suffering from neuropathic pain often have little or no respite because of the lack of effective medications and it is believed that this research lays the groundwork for the development of new drugs to treat chronic response by blocking HCN2.

Many genes play a critical role in pain sensation, but in most cases interfering with them simply abolishes all pain, or even all sensation and what is interesting about the work on the HCN2 gene is that removing it - or blocking it pharmacologically - eliminates neuropathic pain without affecting normal acute responses. This finding could be very valuable clinically because normal pain sensation is essential for avoiding accidental damage.

Paul Yates is a mild sufferer of back pain and is investigating natural cures for back pain within the context of the many back pain relief devices that are on the market today.

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Specific Types of Tri-Core and Other Orthopedic Pillows

Side Sleeper Pillows: These are best for side sleepers and they can minimize snoring and aide with sleep apnea. If you are a side sleeper, you usually have a disposition towards stiffness in your arms and neck, frozen shoulder and back pain. This is a result of the excessive pressure that is created on your neck, arms, shoulders, and back due to improper body, spine and neck alignment. Side sleeper pillows create full body alignment from your neck to your toes providing optimal sleeping support. They also vary in sizes and material.

Belly Pillows: A stomach sleeper usually experiences back pain and a stiff neck. A flatter, softer but firm pillow is ideal choice because it supports your spine allowing it to stay in line with your head. It also minimizes turning your head in uncomfortable positions throughout the night. Belly pillows can also be purchased with inflatable air cells providing you with varied firmness options.

Wedge Pillows: This is also a great pillow for back sleepers. It can minimize pain in neck area, middle and lower back pain. There are many Tri-Core orthopedic wedge pillows. The wedge pillow can be placed under your neck or knees.

Leg Wedge or Knee Pillows: Best for side sleepers when placed between the knees to reduce strain on the hips, back and minimize stiffness of the leg muscles. Also, used for back sleepers to place underneath the knees to create an upward angle. They are primarily made of a thick foam or memory foam and are frequently rectangular or hourglass shaped.

Leg Pillows: Best used for swollen feet, pain in ankles, lower back and leg pains. They keep your legs elevated while you sleep. These pillows are specifically designed to take strain off of your back and lower body by aligning your spine. Some of these pillows come with a height adjustable internal wedge.

They are also known as a wedge type pillow.

Roll Leg Pillows: If you are experiencing sore leg muscles, back and spine ailments, look in to a roll leg pillow. They are cylindrical and are manufactured with memory foam, cushion foam or micro beads. When placed under the knees they can minimize the strain. It can also be placed behind your neck or back and some have adjustable inner core.

Neck Roll Pillows: Best used for neck stiffness or soreness and side and back sleepers. They are smaller than a regular pillow and come in a cylinder shape and are great for traveling. They are designed to fit the curvature of your neck. They are usually made of memory foam or polyester fill. Memory foam is the most popular due to its comfort and softness allowing for support of the upper spine area.

Concave Leg Pillows: Best for side sleepers to reduce strain on the spine. They are usually made of memory foam and are a little firmer than standard leg pillows to help keep the legs in a parallel position.

Maternity and Pregnancy Pillows: Although designed for pregnant women this pillow is also a great asset for back and side sleepers. It alleviates a lot of strain on the hips knees and lower back. There is a wide range of choices in this pillow including size, shape, material and colors.Also, suited for neck and head support and can be used post delivery to aide in nursing. Your choice is based on budget and preference.

Cervical Pillows: This type of pillow is best used for lower and upper back pain and spine soreness. There are a lot of options for cervical pillows including some that have healing packs that can massage the neck. They are smaller in size and offered in many styles and looks. They are easy to transport and can be used in many different ways including between the knees for side sleepers and under the knees for back sleepers.

Coccyx Pillows: Best for coccyx (lower spine) or commonly known as the tailbone. Although this is an area of injury that requires time to heal these pillows are superior strain releases for that specific area. These are great for traveling, especially if you are doing a lot of driving in the car, and they also can provide relief for those that are sitting at a desk for most of the day. It reduces the strain on the tailbone or lower spinal discs. The coccyx pillow is primarily made of memory foam which has greater density so that it molds to your body shape.

http://www.tricorepillow.net

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