Managing Back Pain in the Midst of COVID-19

Prioritizing Health and Safety During a Pandemic

During these difficult times, you might find yourself considering which places are worth venturing out to and which places to avoid. State and local guidelines recommend personal safety precautions to benefit your community including wearing masks or face coverings in public places, washing your hands regularly, and using hand sanitizer. Social distancing guidelines recommend limiting your exposure to others as much as possible and only going out to places of necessity like the grocery store and getting the essential care you need.

It is important to remember that taking care of your physical and mental health is just as important now as ever. Considering disruptions to our daily routines and concerns about community spread of the virus, you might find yourself experiencing pain and discomfort but are unsure what to do about it. Whether you are working from home hunching over your laptop on the couch or you are picking up extra shifts at a physically demanding job, your body may be interpreting pain differently than before, or older injuries not fully treated might be resurfacing. Meeting with an orthopedic doctor is essential to your physical well-being and you should feel safe visiting their office to get your needs met, even during these trying times.

Orthopedic Care for Back Pain

Back pain is one of the main reasons people seek out care from an orthopedic doctor, and it is no wonder because any type of pain and discomfort in your back can affect your whole body and how you live your life. Many people have transitioned to working from home and find themselves working in less-than-ideal workspaces with uncomfortable chairs and lack of a previous routine. Changes to your usual routine, your local gym being closed, and poor posture at a workspace you are not as comfortable with can all impact back pain you have already been suffering from or can lead to new back pain.

Visiting an orthopedic doctor for back pain is a great choice because they specialize in treating the musculoskeletal system and assessing how symptoms of pain can affect multiple areas of the body. Some pain goes away on its own, but when you have been experiencing pain in your back that is affecting your ability to complete your daily tasks without wincing or reaching for some medication, it is time to consult with a doctor to find out more. Orthopedic doctors will review your symptoms with you and utilize a combination of physical examinations with state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging tools to identify the source of the pain and develop an individualized treatment plan just for you.

Treating Back Pain During COVID-19

Your treatment should continue during the pandemic when your doctor and their medical facility are safely adhering to recommended and required safety precautions. If you are already in the middle of back pain treatment, you may want to speak with your doctor to identify ways to balance in-person visits with telemedicine check-ins or learn about potential ways for you to monitor and manage your back pain from home in between more spaced out visits. However, you should also feel safe to continue receiving the comprehensive care you deserve. Orthopedic doctors are back pain specialists and many work in practices with a multi-disciplinary team including chiropractors and physical therapists.

What Safety Precautions to Expect

We primarily hear about doctors and nurses in relation to COVID-19 lately, but that doesn’t mean every doctor’s office has been exposed to and is treating those with the virus. Indeed, many practices such as those for orthopedic doctors are setting strict rules and guidelines around assessing patient health prior to physically coming in to the office to ensure their workplaces are a safe space for patients who do not have the virus. If you are looking for an orthopedic doctor in Atlanta to help manage your back pain, you can trust the team at AICA Orthopedics to provide all orthopedic services during this crisis without risking exposure to others being treated for COVID-19.

AICA Orthopedics has developed an extensive safety protocol for all twelve clinic locations to ensure the safety of patients and practitioners, as well as providing non-coronavirus related medical support and resources to the community during this difficult time. Unlike some medical practices, orthopedic doctors at AICA Orthopedics can rely on in-house diagnostic imaging tests such as X-rays and MRIs, so everything your doctor needs to help provide you with an accurate diagnosis and thorough treatment plan is in the same building. Precautions include the option of waiting in your car until your appointment, waiting room seats spaced at least six feet apart, and temperature checks prior to entering the building. In-person and telemedicine appointments are available, so call AICA Orthopedics today to find out how to get started with an orthopedic doctor and relieve your back pain today!