Back Pain

What causes back pain?

Back pain can arise from an acute injury, or develop gradually as one or more of the structures in your back gets worn or starts to deteriorate.

Injuries could be due to slips, falls, sporting injuries, or car accidents. Overexerting yourself physically or trying to lift heavy objects without using the correct technique are frequent causes of back pain. You could also be born with a spinal problem or develop a spinal disease later in life.

Poor posture, for instance, slouching in front of the television or rounding your back and shoulders, is a common cause of chronic back pain as the unnatural position of your vertebrae puts pressure on your entire back. The effects of the passing years also lead to wear and tear of the vertebrae and spinal discs that can put your spine out of alignment.

The most common causes of back pain in patients Dr. Goldstein sees include:

• Damaged ligaments
• Pulled muscles
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Sciatica
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine)
• Osteophytes (bone spurs)
• Radiculopathy (trapped nerves)
• Scoliosis

Whatever the cause of your back pain, Dr. Goldstein can find the most effective treatment for you.

What should I do if I hurt my back?

Mild cases of back pain that are due to tweaking a muscle playing sports or overexertion typically improve within a few days. Rest and gentle exercise, the application of warm compresses, and avoiding whatever caused the back pain are usually effective in treating this type of pain.

If your back pain is more than a minor muscle sprain, or mild pain isn’t getting better after several days of home treatment, you need to visit Dr. Goldstein.

What treatments are there for back pain?

Like all expert orthopedic physicians, Dr. Goldstein uses conservative treatments to start with. Most patients who have back pain find that these noninvasive therapies resolve their back problems within a few weeks or months.

Conservative treatment options for back pain include:

• Anti-inflammatories
• Ice or cold therapies
• Therapeutic massage
• Ultrasound therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Stretching exercises
• Back braces  
• Manipulation therapies
• Pilates or yoga 

You should feel the benefit of the combination of these treatments that Dr. Goldstein prescribes, but if you aren’t improving, he can also use more advanced back pain treatments, such as:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Medial branch nerve block
• Selective nerve root block
• Sacroiliac joint injection
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Peripheral nerve stimulation
• Regenerative medicine techniques

For effective help with your back pain, call Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, PC, today, or book an appointment online.