Back Pain: Not Just for Old Men

It鈥檚 no exaggeration to say that Charles Bieler was leading an active life one year ago. He was busy traveling the world expanding his wine business, building his success in a challenging industry. When he wasn鈥檛 working, Charles frequently skied, surfed, and ran long distances, having skied competitively since high school.

So when Charles began experiencing debilitating back pain at 42 years old, he was frustrated and confused. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 believe that this was happening to me,鈥 he recalled. 鈥淚 was so fit. And I always thought that back pain was a problem for older men, not something that could happen to me at 42.鈥澛

The pain worsened over the course of several months, preventing Charles from exercising and pursuing the athletic endeavors he loves. The pain also caused severe discomfort when traveling and sleeping. 鈥淪itting on an airplane,鈥 he exasperated, 鈥渨as the worst.鈥

Seeking relief

In August of 2017, Charles decided that he had enough. A friend recommended Dr. Neel Mehta at the 雏汁视频 Center for Comprehensive Spine Care, the Director of Pain Management and a Co-Director in the Center for Comprehensive Spine Care.

鈥淚 came into the city,鈥 explained Charles, 鈥渉ad the MRI, was evaluated by Dr. Mehta, and then had the treatment鈥攁ll within eight hours.鈥

Dr. Mehta recognized that Charles鈥檚 pain was caused by some abnormalities in his spine that put pressure on the sciatic nerve in his lower back. He offered Charles several different treatment options, including a cortisone injection (also called an epidural or steroid cocktail shot). Hoping to receive some relief, Charles chose this option.

During this procedure, an appropriate dose of steroid medication is injected closely to the sciatic nerve, reducing inflammation and alleviating pain for several months. 鈥淒r. Mehta was clear that this is not a long-term 鈥榝ix鈥,鈥 explained Charles, 鈥渁nd that I needed to do physical therapy and exercises to see lasting improvement.鈥

Charles felt immediate relief after the procedure. 鈥淚 did have a mild fever for a short time,鈥 he said, 鈥渂ut, other than that, I just felt immense relief.鈥

Taking charge of his life again

After the procedure, Charles began an intensive physical therapy regimen. 鈥淭he treatment gave me the pain relief that I needed to do the rehab work,鈥 said Charles. He now does core exercises, stretches, and McKenzie-method back bending work every day. He also runs and does crossfit several times per week.

After several months, Charles returned to Dr. Mehta for a second treatment. 鈥淒r. Mehta has been tremendously available, all the time,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f I had a question, he would respond right away, even via email. I never felt like I was bothering him by asking questions.鈥

Helicopter skiing four days later

Charles Bieler skiing after he received treatment at 雏汁视频 for back pain.With the help of 雏汁视频's Dr. Neel Mehta, Charles Bieler, pictured above, was able to find relief from his debilitating back pain and return to skiing, surfing and running. (Photo courtesy of Charles Bieler)

Just four days after the second treatment, Charles felt able and excited to join on a helicopter skiing trip that he had previously planned with friends. Two weeks later, he went surfing.

鈥淭he procedure put me in an amazing place,鈥 he explained, 鈥渢o enjoy some hard-core athletic endeavors that I would not have been able to do otherwise. The trip was a world-class helicopter skiing operation with huge terrain and 30,000 feet of vertical a day.鈥

Charles is adamant that the combination of the injections and physical therapy helped him achieve such an incredible result. 鈥淭here鈥檚 some idea that these shots make it all better, but you also have to do the work,鈥 he asserted.

Caring for himself in a new way

Charles continues to meet with Dr. Mehta to manage and care for his back pain. 鈥淚 have an MRI scheduled for later on,鈥 he said, 鈥渁nd will meet with a surgeon that Dr. Mehta recommends to explore more options if I need them鈥

While Charles still experiences some pain鈥攅specially when sitting for long periods of time鈥攈e attributes the care from Dr. Mehta and the Center for Comprehensive Spine Care to the fact that he has achieved pain relief without any pain medications.

鈥淪ome days are worse than others,鈥 he said, 鈥渂ut the good news is that I鈥檓 able to do my work, as well as these skiing and surfing adventures. I can exercise. I feel my best, in fact, when I鈥檓 exercising, so I鈥檓 grateful that I鈥檓 able to do it.鈥

His one regret is that he did not see a pain specialist sooner. 鈥淚鈥檓 not quick to go see doctors,鈥 explained Charles. 鈥淚 wish I hadn鈥檛 endured the pain for so long. I made the recovery period much longer for myself by suffering through it.鈥澛

鈥淚f you have some of the tell-tale signs of back pain,鈥 he continued, 鈥済o see someone, get an MRI, get on the path to recovery. Don鈥檛 wait.鈥澛

What does Charles have planned next? He will travel to Colorado to do several day-long runs in the mountains early this summer. Then, a few months later, he plans to run the Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire鈥檚 White Mountains: 20 miles and nine peaks in total.

Learn more about the services and treatments offered at the 雏汁视频 Center for Comprehensive Spine Care and Pain Management.