Skip to main content

Back Pain problem

Back Pain Back Pain pain is a general term for a potentially serious ailment and one of the most common medical problems in the United States. The aggravation associated with back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to sudden, sharp pains. Although about 80% of the U.S. population will experience it at some point in their lives, back pain can become so debilitating for some patients that it hinders their ability to participate in everyday activities. Back Pain is typically divided into three distinct categories: Lower back pain involves the lumbar region spine and its surrounding areas. When a patient suffers from lower back pain, the buttocks, upper thighs and groin areas may hurt as well. As the most frequently occurring type of back pain, lower back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability and absenteeism in America. Middle back pain affects the area of the spine between the lumbar and cervical areas. This region is also commonly referred to as the “thoracic” spine. Middle back pain occurs less frequently than lumbar and cervical back pain because the middle back moves less frequently than the lower back and neck, but it still has the potential to cause debilitating pain. Upper back pain involves the upper regions of the spine and the neck, known as the cervical region. When an individual suffers from cervical pain, they may daily combat discomfort and stiffness in the neck and shoulder area. Whiplash, arthritis, slouching or sleeping in an unhealthy position are some of the leading causes of upper back pain. Prevention enerally involves exercising regularly, building muscle strength and flexibility, maintaining a healthy weight and proper posture and making educated choices when buying back-related products, like mattresses and office chairs. Speak with your doctor about how you can proactively avoid back pain. Treatment of this medical condition will almost always depend on the cause, location and severity of the patient’s unique condition. Back Pain Causes Back pain can be caused by a number of factors, including: Sudden accident, injury or trauma, such as a fall or lifting a heavy object improperlyBone fracturesMuscle or ligament strainsArthritisHerniated discsDegenerative disc diseaseAgingObesityPoor physical fitness and lack of exerciseScoliosisSpinal stenosisSudden, abnormal twistingOsteoporosisSmokingUnsupportive footwearMalnutritionInfectionsStress and mental healthTumorsFibromyalgiaOccupational hazards, such as making repeated movements or doing heavy manual laborKidney infectionOsteomyelitisSpondylitisPregnancyPaget’s diseaseMany other diseases and complications As you can see, there are a nearly endless array of possible causes. In order to obtain long-term relief from back-related discomfort, it is important to ascertain the underlying cause behind your condition. Many of the above medical complications can become extremely debilitating and even dangerous if not promptly addressed. Back Pain Symptoms The pain may appear for brief periods or become a chronic issue. Symptoms vary widely, but oftentimes include: Dull, constant pain, particularly after a fall or injurySharp pain, usually after an accident or traumatic eventNumbness, weakness and/or tingling in the affected area and associated limbsSevere pain that doesn’t improve with rest and/or limited activityFeverMuscle aches or spasmsA limited range of motionWeight lossLocalized swelling, redness and tenderness Call 911 or seek emergency medical attention if your back pain occurs after a high-impact motor vehicle accident, a hard fall or traumatic injury or if your discomfort is accompanied by fever and bowel or bladder control problems. These symptoms may signify a life-threatening condition. Our Minimally Invasive Treatment Approach If you are suffering from back pain, you do not have to live with your symptoms as an unchangeable aspect of your life. At Minimally Invasive SpineCARE®, our highly-skilled spine specialists are committed to helping you find safe and effective solutions to your pain. Through patient-centric, personalized care, we strive to provide treatment that allows patients to return home without pain and other inhibiting symptoms. In addition, we are dedicated to ensuring that patients do not develop harmful secondary conditions as a result of their back-related issues. During your initial consultation, one of our experts will carefully and compassionate analyze your physical state and medical history. Diagnostic tests such as X-rays, an MRI or CT scan, blood tests, bone scans or nerve studies may be necessary to determine the root cause of your pain. After obtaining a comprehensive and clear diagnosis, we can recommend an evidence-based treatment plan designed for your unique needs and situation. Depending on the cause of your back pain, conservative treatments may first be recommended. These methods may include over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, injections and the use of heat or ice packs. Contrary to popular belief, bed rest is almost never helpful when combating back pain. As a member of the vertically-integrated Lumin Health system, we are able to provide timely referrals to a number of pain management and pain mapping physicians in the Dallas Fort-Worth area for additional care. For some patients, conservative approaches to treatment may not be sufficient to reduce their pain and prevent future complications. In such cases, surgical intervention may be recommended. At Minimally Invasive SpineCARE®, our acclaimed surgeons offer a number of traditional and minimally invasive procedures to address back pain. When compared with open operations, minimally invasive surgeries typically yield greater benefits, such as: Shortened recovery times that allow patients to return to daily activities, such as work and school, more quicklyLess pain during and after your procedureA reduced risk of scarring and trauma to surrounding tissuesMinimized blood lossFewer potential post-surgery complications The surgical approach used will be based upon the preferences of the patient, as well as certain determining factors like obesity, the presence of extensive adhesions (scar tissue) and previous surgeries. Through surgery, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, pinched nerves and other spine-related problems can usually be resolved. For more information and available treatments please do not hesitate to contact by calling directly at 972-255-5588 or by filling out the form on this page. We look forward to helping you regain your quality of life, so that you can return to doing the things you love.

Popular posts from this blog

Being overweight

"Four million people died in 2015 as a result of being too tubby, struck by cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other killer conditions," reports The Sun. This is based on a global study that looked at how the proportion of people who are overweight and obese has changed over time. This was determined by recording body mass index (BMI), where a BMI of 25-29.9 means being overweight and 30 or above is being obese. Researchers then assessed the link between having an unhealthy BMI and health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. It found that, despite public health efforts, obesity is on the rise in almost every country and in both adults and children. Prevalence has doubled in most countries over the past 30 years. Researchers also estimated that having a high BMI accounted for 4 million deaths globally, 40% of which occurred in people who were overweight but not yet obese. This demonstrates that being overweight may almost be as risky to health a...
Read more

Exercise

Two sets of US guidelines have revised the public health advice on physical activity to clarify that gentle exercise is not enough to improve health, The Guardian reported. Current guidelines suggest that 30 minutes of exercise a day is enough to offer health benefits, however the newspaper said that adults “need to add jogging and twice-weekly weight-training sessions if they want to cut their risk of heart disease and obesity.” The newspaper reports that “the lightest of activities such as dusting and the stroll to the car are being counted as exercise” and quotes the researchers as saying that people have “not accepted, and others have misinterpreted the original recommendation.” The expert panel process and the recommendations offered have clarified some of the more unclear recommendations that were published in 1995. The group of experts met in 2000 to prepare this update, and this was supplemented by panel members’ own searches of the literature. It is not possible to validate ...
Read more

Back to basics

Simple painkillers are better than spinal manipulation or anti-inflammatory drugs to cure a bad back, reported The Daily Telegraph and other newspapers. “Visiting a chiropractor for a bad back may be a waste of time and money,” the newspaper said. The Daily Mail adds, “Patients get better just as quickly if they simply stay active and take a mild painkiller such as paracetamol.” The story is based on a well-conducted study in people who had persistent, acute, mild back pain. The researchers compared stronger painkillers and spinal manipulation with continued conservative treatment (paracetamol and advice about avoiding bed rest and remaining active and so on). The study suggests that neither spinal manipulation nor strong painkillers are more effective than conservative treatment including paracetamol for acute back pain.
Read more