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Back Pain Q & A

What is back pain?

Back pain is an uncomfortable feeling that often results from chronic disease, wear-and-tear, aging, nerve damage, or back injuries. Your back consists of your spine, muscles, and surrounding tissues. 

The skilled providers at The Neuroscience and Spine Institute specialize in treating all types of pain, especially back pain and other workers’ compensation injuries, to help you live your best life.

What does back pain feel like?

Back pain may appear as follows:

  • Dull aching
  • Sharp pain
  • Tingling
  • Numbness
  • Radiating discomfort
  • Burning pain
  • Achiness
  • Tense muscles
  • Soreness
  • Stiffness
  • Electric shock-like pain

Your pain might come and go, progressively worsen, or linger long-term when left untreated.

What can cause back pain?

The cause of back pain isn’t always clear, but its common risk factors include the following:

  • Carrying excess body weight
  • Heavy lifting
  • Lack of flexibility or strength 
  • Pinched nerve
  • Disc herniation
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Scoliosis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Arthritis
  • Strains
  • Fractures
  • Sciatica
  • Degenerative disc disease 

See The Neuroscience and Spine Institute providers if your back pain doesn’t go away with rest and home remedies.

How does my provider pinpoint the cause of back pain?

To find out what’s causing back discomfort, The Neuroscience and Spine Institute specialists discuss your medical history and symptoms. They check your vital signs, review your medications and lifestyle habits, and complete a physical exam to look for signs of abnormalities. 

You might need blood or nerve tests, X-rays, a CT scan, an MRI, or another imaging procedure before your provider can diagnose your condition and treat it properly. 

How is back pain treated?

Some of the most common treatments for back pain include:

  • Rest
  • Ice or heat packs
  • Back brace
  • Physical therapy
  • Injections
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Pain pump
  • Oral medicines
  • Radiofrequency ablation
  • Spinal cord stimulation 
  • Surgical procedures 

Your specialist tailors each back pain treatment plan to your personalized needs and lets you know what to expect during your recovery. They always give you a voice in your treatment and follow up with you to make sure you remain pain-free.

To achieve long-lasting relief from back pain, call The Neuroscience and Spine Institute office or schedule an appointment online today.