{"id":1476,"date":"2018-06-13T20:59:49","date_gmt":"2018-06-13T20:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/comprehensivespine.weillcornell.org\/back-pain-not-just-for-old-men\/"},"modified":"2021-02-20T00:55:40","modified_gmt":"2021-02-20T00:55:40","slug":"back-pain-not-just-for-old-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/comprehensivespine.weillcornell.org\/back-pain-not-just-for-old-men\/","title":{"rendered":"Back Pain: Not Just for Old Men"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s 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\u2019t working, Charles frequently skied, surfed, and ran long distances, having skied competitively since high school.<\/p>\n

So when Charles began experiencing debilitating back pain at 42 years old, he was frustrated and confused. \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe that this was happening to me,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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. \u201cSitting on an airplane,\u201d he exasperated, \u201cwas the worst.\u201d<\/p>\n

Seeking relief<\/h5>\n

In of 2017, Charles decided that he had enough. A friend recommended Dr. Neel Mehta<\/a> at the Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care<\/a>, the Director of Pain Management and a Co-Director in the Center for Comprehensive Spine Care.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came into the city,\u201d explained Charles, \u201chad the MRI, was evaluated by Dr. Mehta, and then had the treatment\u2014all within eight hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Mehta recognized that Charles\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

During this procedure, an appropriate dose of steroid medication is injected closely to the sciatic nerve, reducing inflammation and alleviating pain for several months. \u201cDr. Mehta was clear that this is not a long-term \u2018fix\u2019,\u201d explained Charles, \u201cand that I needed to do physical therapy and exercises to see lasting improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles felt immediate relief after the procedure. \u201cI did have a mild fever for a short time,\u201d he said, \u201cbut, other than that, I just felt immense relief.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taking charge of his life again<\/h5>\n

After the procedure, Charles began an intensive physical therapy regimen. \u201cThe treatment gave me the pain relief that I needed to do the rehab work,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

After several months, Charles returned to Dr. Mehta for a second treatment. \u201cDr. Mehta has been tremendously available, all the time,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I had a question, he would respond right away, even via email. I never felt like I was bothering him by asking questions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Helicopter skiing four days later<\/h5>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"CharlesWith the help of Weill Cornell Medicine’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) <\/strong> <\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe procedure put me in an amazing place,\u201d he explained, \u201cto 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles is adamant that the combination of the injections and physical therapy helped him achieve such an incredible result. \u201cThere\u2019s some idea that these shots make it all better, but you also have to do the work,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n

Caring for himself in a new way<\/h5>\n

Charles continues to meet with Dr. Mehta to manage and care for his back pain. \u201cI have an MRI scheduled for later on,\u201d he said, \u201cand will meet with a surgeon that Dr. Mehta recommends to explore more options if I need them\u201d<\/p>\n

While Charles still experiences some pain\u2014especially when sitting for long periods of time\u2014he 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome days are worse than others,\u201d he said, \u201cbut the good news is that I\u2019m able to do my work, as well as these skiing and surfing adventures. I can exercise. I feel my best, in fact, when I\u2019m exercising, so I\u2019m grateful that I\u2019m able to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

His one regret is that he did not see a pain specialist sooner. \u201cI\u2019m not quick to go see doctors,\u201d explained Charles. \u201cI wish I hadn\u2019t endured the pain for so long. I made the recovery period much longer for myself by suffering through it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have some of the tell-tale signs of back pain,\u201d he continued, \u201cgo see someone, get an MRI, get on the path to recovery. Don\u2019t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s White Mountains: 20 miles and nine peaks in total. <\/i><\/p>\n

Learn more about the services and treatments offered at the Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care<\/a> and Pain Management<\/a>. <\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s 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\u2019t working, Charles frequently skied, surfed, and ran long distances, having skied competitively since high school. So when Charles began […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBack Pain: Not Just for Old Men<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Read how Charles started experiencing back pain at the age of 42 and how he fought it with our help. 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