What causes back pain?
While occasional acute back pain can result from muscle strains or stress, chronic back pain may point to a more serious medical condition.
Pain in your back may develop gradually, starting out as mild aches that intensify until you can no longer stay physically active. Common causes of this type of chronic pain include:
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Herniated discs
- Nerve compression
You can also develop chronic pain when your spinal canal begins to narrow, a condition known as spinal stenosis, due to age-related changes or following an injury to your spine.
Low back pain often relates to sciatica, a condition that develops when pressure is put on your sciatic nerve, a large nerve that runs from your low back and into your buttocks, hips, and legs. This pressure can come from bone spurs, herniated discs, or spinal stenosis.
How is back pain diagnosed?
To properly manage your chronic back pain, Dr. Raso first determines the root cause of the pain through a physical exam and a review of your medical history. He may request imaging tests, like X-rays or a CT scan, to get a better look at your spinal column and the soft tissues supporting your back.
In some cases, Dr. Raso can pinpoint the cause of your pain based on your symptoms and where the pain starts. Once he understands the source of your pain, Dr. Raso creates a custom treatment plan to alleviate the pain and prevent a worsening of your condition.
What treatments are available for back pain?
If medications aren’t enough to keep you pain-free, Dr. Raso may recommend injections of steroids and anesthetic medicine into the epidural space of your spine or in the area surrounding the nerve to disrupt pain signals.
If you have intense pain from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, you may be a candidate for spinal cord stimulation. This minimally invasive procedure involves implanting a small device just under the surface of your skin.
The device has leads that attach to specific nerves responsible for pain. You can control the stimulator remotely, which sends electric impulses to the treatment area to alleviate pain on demand.
Dr. Raso may also suggest other procedures, such as kyphoplasty to stabilize spinal fractures or spine surgery to remove herniated discs or fuse weak vertebrae.
Don’t delay the evaluation of your chronic back pain for another minute. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Raso today by using the online booking feature or by calling the office.
