According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 51 million people in the United States suffer from chronic pain. It’s an eye-opening statistic, especially when you factor in that the number equates to just about 20% of the country’s population.
Thankfully, as medicine continues to evolve, new treatments and surgical advancements are allowing providers to produce better outcomes for patients and help them regain a better quality of life.
Two of the most prevalent issues surrounding pain management are those related to the lower back and migraines. It is estimated that at least 50% of the people in the United States will find themselves debilitated at some period in their life with back pain. Meanwhile, more than 37 million folks in the United States are impacted by migraines, making it one of the most disabling medical illnesses there are.
We spoke with two local doctors who are experts in these areas to learn more about how they are meeting the challenge to help patients find hope and promise instead of pain and suffering.
How are recent advancements helping you produce better outcomes for patients?
“Most of the advances have been with our surgical techniques, where we now have minimally invasive techniques where there’s less tissue disruption to accomplish what needs to be done at the time of surgery. These techniques along with the advanced computer imaging make surgery more successful and less debilitating for the individuals, making it easier for them to recover.”
—Dr. Joseph R. Zerbo, Premier Orthopaedic Associates
“The world of headache medicine is complex and often requires a multidisciplinary approach for management. … Fortunately, we are in the midst of a pharmacological revolution of novel migraine treatments. We understand more about the neurochemical pathophysiology of migraines than ever before, and we are more capable of suppressing and preventing them because of advancements with therapies.”
—Dr. Steven Bromley, Bromley Neurology
At what point do persistent headaches become something you need to consult a doctor about?
“If headaches are new to a person—particularly as they get older—or they are associated with unusual symptoms, then a person should be evaluated by a specialist. An evaluation typically starts with spending time with a person and understanding what in their life may be ‘throwing them out of balance’ and contributing to their migraine condition. Additional evaluation typically includes physical examination, neuroimaging and/or blood testing.”
—Dr. Bromley
Why are MRIs and other diagnostic tools not always the best indicator of one’s specific issues related to back pain?
“Everyone thinks, ‘My back hurts, I need to get a MRI.’ That’s really not the right approach. The right approach is having the doctor really base a diagnosis on a patient’s history and a physical exam to identify what the problem is. Then look at a MRI and see does it support what the history of physical examinations is telling us. If you instead chase a MRI with treatment, it really winds up being prolonged and unsuccessful.”
—Dr. Zerbo
RESOURCES
| Bromley Neurology Serving South Jersey (856) 546-2300 SJMSCenter.com |
Premier Orthopaedic Associates Serving South Jersey (856) 690-1616 POASNJ.com |
