Back Pain Specialist

What is back pain?

Your back is a complex network of joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. It has four primary areas: cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and sacrum. Pain in these specific areas usually has a specific reason.

Cervical spine

Pain in your neck is often the result of ligament, tendon, or muscle strain.

Thoracic spine

Upper back pain typically occurs because of irritation in your back or shoulder muscles or joints.

Lumbar spine

This is the most common region in which to have back pain. Pain in the lower back affects 31 million Americans and is often due to muscle strain.

Sacrum

The lowest part of your spine is also part of your pelvis. Pain in this area is often due to injury, damage, or associated issues, like herniated discs or hip conditions.

When you have back pain, your symptoms can range from dull muscle aches to stabbing, shooting, or radiating pain. It’s also common to have reduced range of motion.

What causes back pain?

You can experience back pain for several reasons, such as:

• Pregnancy
• Poor posture
• Injury or trauma
• Muscle or ligament strain
• Fractures
• Pinched or compressed nerves
• Herniated, bulging, or ruptured discs
• Degenerative conditions, like osteoporosis or arthritis
• Genetic irregularities

Your chance of having back pain also increases with age, weight, sedentary lifestyle and improper lifting techniques.

How do you diagnose and treat back pain?

At Advanced Spine and Pain Specialists, Dr. Khoury diagnoses back pain by performing a comprehensive examination. During your appointment, he reviews your symptoms and discusses your personal and medical history. In some cases, Dr. Khoury might also recommend additional diagnostic testing, like X-rays or an MRI.

After reaching a diagnosis, Dr. Khoury develops a comprehensive treatment plan based on your condition. Common treatments for back pain include:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Lumbar medial branch blocks
• Radiofrequency denervation
• Sacroiliac joint injections
• Sacroiliac joint fusion
• Physical therapy focused on stretching and strengthening of your core and back muscles
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Minimally invasive surgery

In addition to medical interventions for back pain, Dr. Khoury might also recommend lifestyle changes, like improving your posture or body mechanics, or weight management techniques, such as diet and exercise.

To find solutions for your back pain, call Advanced Spine and Pain Specialists, or schedule an appointment online today.