What causes back pain?
Back pain is usually a symptom of an injury or underlying condition. The sooner you address the root cause of your back pain, the easier it is to treat. Common causes of back pain include:
Herniated disc
The discs in your spine cushion each of the vertebrae. Discs are made up of a hard outer shell and a soft center. Over time, these discs can deteriorate, causing the soft center to push through the shell and irritate surrounding nerves. A herniated disc often leads to chronic lower back pain.
Muscle strain
The muscles and ligaments in your back keep it stable and flexible. When you turn in an awkward way or lift a heavy object, these soft tissues can overextend. Strained muscles and ligaments often heal on their own, but poor rehab can cause lasting damage.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis gradually narrows the spinal canal. This irritates the spinal cord and the nerves that branch off from it.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a degenerative condition that affects the joints. While there are many kinds, the most common is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis breaks down the flexible cartilage surrounding the joints. Arthritis most often affects the lower back, but it can also cause pain in the upper back and neck.
How is back pain treated?
Hudson Valley Bone & Joint Surgeons offers several pain management techniques to treat different kinds of back pain, including:
Injections
Corticosteroid injections, like an epidural, are pain relievers that reduce inflammation surrounding the spine. Injections reduce back pain while you recover from an injury or degenerative condition.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy strengthens the muscles in your back, improves your posture, and promotes flexibility to relieve your pain.
Nerve blocks
A nerve block injection delivers medication that prevents specific nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. If the brain doesn’t receive the pain signal, you don’t feel the pain.
Spinal cord stimulation
A spinal cord stimulator is implanted into your body. It sends electrical currents directly into your spinal cord to relieve chronic pain.
Surgery
While there are many conservative back pain management treatments, surgery is sometimes the best option. Depending on your condition, the team may recommend surgery to relieve pressure on the spine, remove diseased tissue, or take out a herniated disc.
How do I know if I have chronic back pain?
Chronic back pain is pain that lasts for at least six months. The pain continues long after the injury that initially caused it has healed. The best way to avoid chronic back pain is to address your condition as soon as it starts. Like a muscle strain, an acute injury has a better chance of healing properly if you seek professional care before the pain becomes chronic.
If you’re struggling with chronic back pain, call the orthopedic specialists at Hudson Valley Bone & Joint Surgeons, LLP today or schedule an appointment online.
