Chronic back pain rarely responds to standard treatments and over-the-counter medication, resulting in debilitating pain that impacts your everyday life. Our medical team addresses your pain at the source – your nerves – with interventional treatments.
In youth and middle age, back pain can often be attributed to soft tissue injuries; as we age, back pain is often the result of gradual degenerative changes.
This type of back pain is caused by inflamed or compressed nerves. Below are some of the most common conditions associated with back pain:
If your chronic back pain is caused by compressed nerves, you may also experience numbness, tingling and muscle weakness along the affected nerve. For example, many people with a compressed sciatica nerve experience pain as well as a burning or tingling sensation along the length of the nerve, from the lower back down through the leg.
Conventional back pain treatments include anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants used in combination with physical therapy. The goal is to improve your range of motion and strengthen the surrounding muscles.
If your back pain doesn’t respond well to conventional treatments, our team looks to interventional pain management options such as epidural steroid injections. These treatments target the affected nerves, addressing your pain at the source.
Your provider administers an inflammation-reducing steroid directly into the epidural space in your back. While long-lasting, the steroid can often take longer to relieve pain, so your doctor may also inject a local anesthetic with the steroid to provide immediate, though temporary, relief.
While back pain can often be managed at home, it’s important to seek immediate care in certain situations. If your back pain is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the legs or groin, or it’s the result of a significant injury, such as a fall, you should go to the ER immediately.
Urgent care centers can provide immediate relief for lower back pain. They often start with a physical examination and possibly imaging tests to identify the cause. Treatment can include prescription medications, advice on suitable back pain relief products, or referral to a back pain specialist like us. At Brain & Spine, we offer expert care to mitigate your symptoms and ensure your long-term health.
Back pain can result from various factors. Common causes include muscle or ligament strain, bulging or ruptured discs, arthritis, osteoporosis, and poor posture. Sometimes, back pain may also be a symptom of a more serious condition that needs specialized care, which we help to diagnose and treat at Brain & Spine. Check out our article on the most common causes of back pain for a more in-depth answer.
The best treatment for lower back pain can vary depending on the cause and severity. This can range from lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and medication, to more advanced treatments such as epidural injections. We will help determine the best route to pain relief, as we provide compassionate and personalized treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each patient through our board-certified physicians.
Yes, there are many non-surgical treatments for back pain. These include physical therapy, medications, and other noninvasive back treatment options like radiofrequency ablation. At Brain & Spine, we prioritize non-surgical treatment for back pain whenever possible to minimize risk and recovery time for our patients.
Radio frequency treatment, or radiofrequency ablation, is a non-surgical procedure that uses heat generated from a radio wave to target specific nerves and temporarily interfere with their ability to transmit pain signals. This can provide significant relief for some patients. We have experienced practitioners who can safely perform this procedure.
Back pain when breathing, coughing, or sneezing can often be due to muscle strain. However, it could also be a sign of a more serious issue, such as a herniated disc or other spinal problems. If you experience persistent back pain when breathing, our back pain specialists at Brain & Spine can provide a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan for your particular needs and get you on the road to relief.
The pain relief from epidural injections can vary significantly, depending on the individual and the nature of their back pain. On average, relief can last anywhere from a week to a year. It’s also important to note that some patients may experience back pain after an epidural. If you have any concerns about this procedure, the experts at Brain & Spine are available to help you understand all your treatment options.