What is back pain?
Back pain can range in type and severity from a constant dull ache to sudden, sharp pain. You may notice back pain immediately, like after an accident or when you lift something heavy. Other times, back pain can develop over time.
Low back pain is the most common, but you can also experience discomfort in your mid or upper back.
Most back pain resolves within a few weeks of self-care methods like stretching exercises and over-the-counter pain relievers. If your back pain is severe or persistent, Dr. Ben-Meir can help.
What causes back pain?
Back pain that begins suddenly is usually the result of a muscle strain or ligament strain. This can occur during heavy lifting, sudden awkward movements, or a sports injury.
Many conditions also cause back pain, including:
- Herniated or ruptured discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatica
- Spinal nerve compression
- Osteoporosis
Your risk of getting back pain increases with age, but young adults and school-aged children may experience this problem. Other risk factors for back pain include smoking cigarettes, carrying excess weight, and having weak abdominal muscles.
How is back pain diagnosed?
To diagnose your back pain, Dr. Ben-Meir reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam. He asks you to describe your back pain, including when it started and whether anything makes it better or worse.
Depending on what he finds during the exam, Dr. Ben-Meir may take a variety of tests. At Downtown Pain Management, he provides onsite electrodiagnostic testing like electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies to measure your nerve function.
He may also take a musculoskeletal ultrasound, which shows soft tissues of your back, or an X-ray to check your bone structure.
What back pain treatments are available?
After he confirms a diagnosis, Dr. Ben-Meir recommends the most effective approach to relieving your back pain. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Stretching exercises like yoga
- Alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic
If conservative treatments don’t provide sufficient relief, he may include advanced interventional pain management procedures such as:
- Epidural nerve blocks and steroid injections
- Facet joint injections
- Trigger point injections
- Selected nerve root injections
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Spinal cord stimulation
For effective and long-lasting back pain relief, call Downtown Pain Management or book an appointment online today.
