What causes back pain?
Back pain ranges from a dull ache to a stabbing, disabling pain. It can come from a sudden injury — a fall, a sports injury, a car accident — or build slowly through overuse and wear. Common underlying causes include:
- Spinal stenosis
- Sciatica
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle or ligament strains
Acute vs. chronic back pain
Acute back pain comes on suddenly, can be severe, and usually resolves with treatment within a few weeks.
Chronic back pain lasts longer than three months. It is less common, but it can seriously affect your mobility, your work and your quality of life — and it deserves a precise diagnosis rather than another refill.
When should I see a pain specialist?
Many cases of acute back pain improve with home care such as over-the-counter pain relievers and cold packs. Avoid several days of bed rest — it can make things worse. If your pain hasn’t improved within the first few weeks, it’s time to find out exactly what’s causing it.
How we treat back pain
Every plan starts with an in-depth evaluation: a physical exam, a review of your X-rays and MRI with you, and your full medical history. Depending on the cause, your plan may include:
- Physical therapy
- Facet and sacroiliac joint injections
- Epidural injections
- Medial branch blocks and selective nerve blocks
- Sympathetic chain blocks
- Trigger point injections
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Botox® injections
- Regenerative medicine
- Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD®)
- Vertiflex™ Superion® spinal decompression
- Spinal cord stimulation (Nevro HF10® or Boston Scientific systems)
- Non-opioid medication options, including Suboxone® for chronic pain