Why do I have back pain?
You might have back pain for any number of reasons. Some back pain can develop if you have a problem with your heart or other internal organs when it usually comes with other symptoms of illness. However, the majority of patients with back pain have some kind of orthopedic condition.
Orthopedic conditions can affect any of the structures in your back, namely the shock absorbent discs between your vertebrae, the vertebrae themselves, the ligaments around your spine, the spinal cord and nerves coming off it, and the muscles and skin on your back.
Acute back pain typically strikes suddenly, because of an injury like a sprain or strain in the soft tissues of your back. Your lower back is especially prone to suffering from acute back pain due to lifting accidents, falls, awkward and sudden movements, and overexertion.
Chronic back pain typically comes on more slowly. It's often due to improper healing of an acute injury or the deterioration of the structures in your spine that happens with age and overuse.
What conditions could be causing my back pain?
There are numerous conditions that might be responsible for your back pain. The Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute often sees patients with disorders such as:
- Arthritis
- Facet joint syndrome
- Herniated discs
- Scoliosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Coccydynia
- Compression fractures
Some of these conditions are painful because a part of your spine is irritating or pressing on one or more of your nerves.
Many nerves exit your spine from the spinal cord, and something like a bulging disc, thickened ligament, or bony encroachment could interfere with these nerves. This type of back pain is known as radiculopathy, the most common example of which is sciatica.
How is back pain treated?
The treatment that's most appropriate for your back pain varies depending on the reason for your pain, its severity, and the extent of any issues you have, like limited movement.
The Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute team specializes in using non-surgical treatments to relieve and reduce back pain. After diagnosing and assessing the cause of your back pain, they prepare a treatment program based on your individual needs. Your plan might include:
- Physical therapy
- Pain medications
- Anti-inflammatories
- Medical marijuana
- Chiropractic
- Epidural steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
- Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Trigger point injections
- Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS)
- Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
Chronic back pain can also benefit from the use of regenerative medicine techniques. The Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cell therapy, and exosomes.
These injectable treatments use proteins such as growth factors and cytokines taken from your body. When injected into damaged tissues, regenerative medicine therapies boost your body's healing abilities.
To find out more about the extensive selection of non-surgical treatment options available for back pain, call Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute today or book an appointment online.
