Back pain is one of the most common conditions that Dr. Dao treats, and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide. If you have missed work due to back pain, you are not alone. In fact, it is estimated that up to 84 percent of adults have low back pain at some time in their lives. Symptoms include muscle ache, shooting or stabbing pain, pain that radiates down to your legs, limited flexibility of the back. Our team at Trinity Pain Management and affiliated physical therapists and chiropractors can accurately diagnose your back pain and formulate a plan to get you back to what matters most to you.
Almost everyone gets back pain at some point. Low back pain can be scary. But even when the pain is severe, it usually goes away on its own within a few weeks.
See your doctor at Trinity Pain Management if you have back pain and you:
- Have a fall or an injury to your back recently
- Have numbness or weakness in your legs
- Have problems with bladder or bowel control
- Have unexplained weight loss
- Have a fever or feel sick in other ways
- Have a history of cancer or osteoporosis.
You should also see a doctor if:
- Your back pain is so severe that you cannot perform simple tasks
- Your back pain does not start to improve within 4 weeks
Many different things can cause low back pain. Back pain can happen if you strain a muscle. This refers to pain that starts suddenly after physical activity, like lifting something heavy or bending the back. Back pain can also happen if you have:
- Damaged, bulging, or torn discs
- Arthritis affecting the joints of the spine
- Bony growths on the vertebrae that crowd nearby nerves
- A vertebra out of place
- Narrowing in the spinal canal
- A tumor or infection (but this is very rare)
Most people do not need an imaging test such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Most cases of back pain go away in a few weeks. Our Trinity Pain Management doctors usually do not order imaging tests unless there are signs of something unusual. If your doctor does not order an imaging test, do not worry. They can still learn a lot about your pain just from looking you over and talking with you.
Your symptoms tell your doctor a lot about the cause of your pain. For example:
- If your pain started after you did something specific, like lifting a heavy object or twisting your back, you might have strained a muscle.
- If your pain spreads down the back of one thigh, it could be a sign that one of the nerves that go to your leg is being pinched by a bulging or torn disc.
- If your pain goes all the way down both legs, it could be a sign that you have a narrowed spinal canal. This is most often due to bony growths on your spine.
Most people with an episode of low back pain do not have a serious medical problem, and can try simple treatments such as:
- Staying active – People with low back pain recover faster if they stay active.
- Heat – Some people find that it helps to use a heating pad or heated wrap.
- Medicines – You can try pain medicines that you can get without a prescription.
- Treatments to help with symptoms – Some treatments might help you feel better, they include:
- Spinal manipulation – This is when a chiropractor, physical therapist, or other professional moves or “adjusts” the joints of your back.
- Acupuncture – This is when someone who knows traditional Chinese medicine inserts tiny needles into your body to block pain signals.
- Physical therapy – A physical therapist is an exercise expert who can teach you stretches and movements to help strengthen your muscles.
- Reducing stress – Some people find that it helps to try something called “mindfulness-based stress reduction.” This involves going to a group program to practice relaxation and meditation.
Some people wonder if injections (shots) can help to relieve back pain. In some cases, doctors might recommend a shot of medicine to numb the area or reduce swelling.
Only a small number of people end up needing surgery to treat back pain.