CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN SHOULD BE TREATED BY SPINE SPECIALISTS

If your lower back pain is severe and not going away with other treatments, our spine specialists can get to the root of the problem.

What is Causing your Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain could be from a wide range of causes, most that can be treated nonsurgically, including:

Muscular – ordinary strains and sprains or muscle spasms
Joint Pain – The facet joints (the joints of the spine) from normal wear and tear of life
Spondylolisthesis – caused by a vertebra slipping out of place putting stress on the joints of the spine
Stenosis – narrowing of the spinal canal, either congenital or from the wear and tear of life
Osteoporosis – wearing down of vertebrae, that can eventually cause fractures
Scoliosis – The spine can develop a “S” shape that you were born with or that can develop as you age, that can put stress on the joints of the spine
Spine Tumor – cancer that erodes into the bone of the spine

Symptoms that Require Immediate Attention

Everyone has lower back pain now and then, but if you experience any of these symptoms, or shooting leg pain lasts longer than a week, you need to see a spine specialist as soon as possible.

Foot Drop (Difficulty lifting foot or big toe up off the ground)
Weakness in legs
Trouble walking
Issues with bladder or bowel control

Learn More About Lower Back Pain

Why Get Evaluated by a Spine Specialist?

We treat back and leg pain everyday. We want to help find a nonsurgical or surgical treatment in order to avoid:

Persistent pain that affects quality of life
Permanent neurologic deficit, like a foot drop
Going from doctor to doctor with no improvement
Reliance on pain medications

Treatments for Lower Back Pain

Physical Therapy
Exercise and Stretches
Hot/cold Therapy
Steroid injections by Pain Management Physician
Pain Medications
Surgical Intervention
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Physical therapy with a certified physical therapist is the first line treatment for low back pain or leg pain in many cases, however if this has not worked in conjunction with injections, we can evaluate for other treatment options.

Back stretches and/or exercises can be incorporated into your daily routine in order to decrease pain and quality of life. Improving core strength also improves lower back strength.

Heat and ice can help manage chronic lower back aches and pains.

Steroid Injections (either an Epidural or facet injection) can be used both as a diagnostic and therapeutic treatment option. Using radiographic guidance, a needle is inserted into the epidural space and the area is injected with steroid, anesthetic, or a combination of the two.

This is done by a Pain Management physician, usually an Anesthesiologist or a Physiatrist, board certified in pain management.

Prescribed or over-the-counter pain medications work to reduce inflammation and ease pain. Oral pain medications should only be only a short term solution to your leg or back pain.

If you are unable to get sustained pain relief from nonsurgical treatment and/or your quality of life has not improved, then surgical intervention may be the best treatment for your pain. If weakness is associated with your pain, then surgery may be first line treatment.

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