FIND LASTING RELIEF FOR YOUR BACK PAIN

Are your back muscles hurting at the end of a long day? Have you felt a shooting or stabbing pain when picking up something from the floor? Do you feel pain in your low back that radiates down to your leg when you bend or lift? If you can relate to these situations, you’re most likely experiencing common signs of back pain.

Back pains are one of the most common medical problems affecting at least 4 out of 5 people in their lifetime. In fact, it’s become one of the leading reasons why people miss work or have to visit their doctor. Symptoms of back pain include acute, sudden sharp pain or constant dull aches that can last from weeks to years.

Although backaches generally get better on their own, some grow to be severe, chronic conditions. If your back pain hasn’t improved, it might be time for you to consider other pain-relieving options.

CAUSES OF BACK PAIN

Common causes of acute back pain are often due to falls, heavy lifting, or poor posture. These types of backaches do not typically last more than a few weeks. However, if back pain persists, it may also be linked to other chronic conditions, which include:
  • Ruptured or bulging disks. The cushions between every vertebra are called disks. Over time, the materials inside the disc may rupture or bulge, causing pressure on the nerves in your spine.
  • Arthritis. This is commonly caused by swelling and inflammation in spinal joints which can frequently result in pain or stiffness.
  • Spinal Stenosis. This condition happens when the space between the spinal cord becomes narrow. This can result in low backaches and pain.
  • Muscle strains. If you don’t practice good form when lifting weights, you’re at risk of injury and chronic back pain.
  • Osteoporosis. Some osteoporotic patients may wake up to extreme acute back pain, which should be checked on by a primary care physician. For others, it can progress and cause compression fractures.
  • Skeletal irregularities. For example, scoliosis (a type of curved spine) can lead to lower back pain as you get older.

WHEN SHOULD YOU GO TO A DOCTOR FOR BACK PAIN?

You can usually prevent back pain with ample rest, correct exercise, stretches, and physical therapy. If after taking precautions you do experience persistent back pain your primary care physician can refer you to our specialists for a consultation.

Let your doctor know if you notice the following:
  • Pain is spreading down one or both legs, particularly if it extends below the knee
  • Tingling, weakness, or numbness of one or both legs
  • You’re having issues with your bladder or bowel movements
  • Your low back pain is accompanied by a fever

HOW TO TREAT CHRONIC BACK PAIN

DISCOGRAPHY: BACK PAIN DIAGNOSIS

Discography can detect whether a damaged disc between the vertebrae is causing your back pain. During discography, the physician injects contrast, or x-ray dye, into the discs of your back to see which disk is likely causing your back pain.

PROCEDURES WE OFFER FOR BACK PAIN RELIEF

  • Selective Nerve Root Blocks – This medical procedure is used if back pain is caused by inflamed foramina that are associated with arthritis or a ruptured disc.
  • Facet Injections – Just like a cortisone injection, facet injections insert an anti-inflammatory medication and numbing agent to provide instant relief to the joint.
  • Paraspinal Joint Injections – In a paraspinal joint injection, anti-inflammatory medicine will be injected into the affected joints. This is the recommended procedure for backaches that are linked to arthritis.
  • Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections – Unlike the other treatments, the Lumbar ESI injects the anti-inflammatory medicine into the small space surrounding the spinal canal.

    This helps reduce inflammation of the nerves that originate from the spinal cord.
  • Vertebral Cement Augmentation (VCA) – A minimally invasive procedure, the VCA treatment inserts a medical-grade bone cement into the fractured vertebrae.

    There are two effective methods to complete this procedure; vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
Consult your local physician for more information.





Originally published at https://vispdocs.com/