Back Pain

As there are many different types of back pain, there are also several different causes. Some of the most common include:

• Herniated disc. The discs that cushion and separate your vertebral bones have a tough outer layer with a soft center. When these discs rupture, either through damage or aging, the softcore leaks out of the casing. A herniated disc creates a pinched nerve that causes the discomfort.
• Back injury. Accidents, falls, overexertion, and athletic strains are among the most common types of injuries to the back.
• Spinal stenosis. The spinal canal shrinks, compressing your spinal column.
• Osteoarthritis. The spine develops bone spurs and loses stability.
• Soft tissue strain. Repetitive movements at work or play — or a sudden exertion that leads to a pulled back — can strain or damage spinal ligaments or back muscles.
• Scoliosis. A congenital malformation of the spine, this condition leads to back pain later in life.
• Osteoporosis. This degeneration and weakening of your bones can eventually lead to spinal compression fractures.
• Post-laminectomy syndrome. Failed back surgery can lead to continued or even heightened back pain.
• Spondylolisthesis. This condition refers to slipping of your vertebrae.
• Myofascial pain syndrome. Often a chronic condition, this muscle tightness responds well to physical therapy.
• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction. Damage to the joint connecting your pelvis and spine is a leading cause of lower back pain.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans wondering how to relieve back pain, you’ve probably been overwhelmed with commercial offers promising back pain relief. Back pain treatment has become a $100 billion per year business, and much of it is either deceptive or ineffective.

If back pain has become a problem in your life, you need the help of a trained back pain doctors and pain management specialist with years of experience in the treatment of back pain. After a careful diagnosis using state-of-the-art techniques, your Redefine Healthcare doctor develops a back pain treatment program that may include remedies such as:

• Medications. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, steroid injections, narcotics, anti-depressants, and topical creams
• Physical therapy. Posture improvement, electrical stimulation, strength exercises, and flexibility stretches
• Surgery. Only for structural problems that don’t respond to other treatments, as a last resort