Back Pain

Low back pain is experienced in 60-80% of adults at some point in their lifetime and is one of the most common causes of visits to a physician.

When to see a doctor for back pain?

Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care, If you experience back pain that doesn’t improve or continues or worsens over the course of a few weeks, you should seek an evaluation from your primary care doctor. Early intervention is key to preventing long term back pain. If the pain last more than 3 months, it is considered to be a chronic condition and you should seek a referral to a pain management provider.

In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention if your back pain at any point causes the following as these symptoms can be a sign of nerve damage and can be serious if not addressed:

new bowel or bladder control problems,
numbness in the groin or rectal area, or leg weakness,
follows a fall or injury to your back.
These symptoms are a sign of nerve damage and can be irreversible if not treated quickly and appropriately.

What are symptoms of chronic back pain:

Muscle ache
Shooting or stabbing pain
pain the radiates down the leg
pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing or walking
pain that improves with reclining

What are common causes of back pain?

Common causes of back pain may include:
• Overuse, prolonged sitting or lying down, sudden awkward movement and excessive lifting can cause back pain
• Muscle spasm or ligament strain can cause back pain
• Bulging or ruptured disks
• Arthritis, degenerative disc disease, congenital spine abnormalities, and tumors can cause back pain
• Spinal stenosis, which is a constriction of the spinal canal, whether congenital or caused by degenerative discs and/or bulging discs can cause back pain.
• Skeletal irregularities, a condition in which your spine curves to the side (scoliosis).
• Disc herniation, extrusion of disc material which compresses the spinal cord or a nerve root
• Spondylolithesis, which is when one vertebra slips forward onto another vertebra immediately below can cause back pain
• Pregnancy can cause back pain – muscles stretch and ligaments and body alignment is affected by a growing fetus
• Infections cause back pain – these are rarely a cause, but bacteria can invade discs, vertebrae or joints causing an infection that can lead to back pain

Common risks factors include:

•Age
•Lack of exercise
Excess weight
•Disease
•Improper lifting
•Psychological conditions
•Smoking

What steps can I take at home to help manage my back pain?

• Rest and restrict activity
•Build muscle strength and flexibility
•Low back pain exercises
• Strength training routines
• Use a pillow under your head, between your knees, and under an upper arm when resting on your side
• Use a pillow under your knees when on your back
• Over-the-counter pain relievers, including NSAID medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Ibuprofen® or Tylenol®
• Use cold immediately after an injury, and then apply heat

What are the alternatives to surgery for my back pain?

There are many non-surgical options available for diagnosing and treating back pain. These include:
• Epidural Steroid injections
• Facet Injections and Radiofrequency Ablation
• Sacroiliac Joint Injections and Radiofrequency Ablation
• Trigger point injections
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (low-voltage currents to tissues to help decrease pain)
• Nerve block injections
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
• Percutaneous discectomy
• Wide variety of pain medications