Treating Back Pain
Low Back Pain
What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?
Acute pain starts quickly and lasts less than 6 weeks. It is the most common type of back pain. Acute pain may be caused by falling, a sports injury, or lifting something heavy.
Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain.
What are the causes of back pain?
There are many causes of back pain; mechanical problems with the back itself can cause pain. Examples are:
- Disc breakdown
- Spasms
- Tense muscles
- Ruptured discs
- Injuries including sprains, fractures, accidents and falls
Back pain can occur with conditions and diseases, such as:
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Pregnancy
- Kidney stones
- Infections
- Endometriosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Infections
- Tumours
- Stress
When should I see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you have:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pain that does not improve with rest
- Pain after an injury
If you have pain in addition to any of these problems:
- Trouble urinating
- Weakness
- Numbness in your legs
- Fever
- Unusual weight loss
How is back pain diagnosed?
To diagnose back pain, your doctor will take your medical history and do a physical exam. Your doctor may order other tests, such as:
- X-ray
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computed tomography scan (CT)
- Blood tests
How is back pain treated?
Medical tests may not show the cause of your back pain. The cause of your back pain may never known.
Back pain can improve even if you do not know the cause. We offer injection and non-injection therapy to treat chronic back pain. After evaluation, your physician will recommend any of the following treatment options: