What causes back pain?
Part of the reason so many people live with ongoing back pain is that they face a challenge in trying to identify the root cause of the pain. Except for acute back pain, or back pain that comes on suddenly as the result of an injury, back pain usually develops over time. It can be the result of a problem with the muscles in the back or spine, or it can be a symptom of a separate condition.
Some of the most common causes of back pain that the team at Birmingham Neurosurgery & Spine Group treats include:
- Herniated discs
- Sciatica
- Degenerative disc disease
- Lumbar stenosis
- Lumbar compression fractures
- Strained muscles
To deliver the most effective treatment possible, your doctor starts back pain care by first diagnosing the cause of your pain.
How is back pain diagnosed?
At Birmingham Neurosurgery & Spine Group, the doctors have a wide range of diagnostic tools they use to figure out what’s causing your back pain. This diagnosis process starts with a physical exam, during which your doctor asks you about your symptoms and any triggers that worsen your back pain.
Based on the findings during the physical exam, your doctor recommends additional testing to hone in on the cause of your back pain. Some of the tests they most commonly use are:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- X-rays
- Myelograms
- Discograms
- Electromyogram tests and nerve conduction studies
With these tests, he gains clarity about the health of your spine. This enables him to identify the issue that’s causing your back pain so he can apply a targeted treatment.
How is back pain treated?
At Birmingham Neurosurgery & Spine Group, the doctors take a conservative approach. Your doctor starts with noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments for your back pain, including:
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Muscle relaxers
- Epidural blocks
If these treatments don’t resolve your pain, your doctor may recommend surgery. Using the latest technology available today and their combined 60 years of experience, the Birmingham Neurosurgery & Spine Group surgeons perform minimally invasive robotic back surgeries. This minimizes your downtime while helping you get the best outcome possible from your procedure.
Back pain shouldn’t be permanent. To get the diagnosis and treatment you need to find relief, call Birmingham Neurosurgery & Spine Group today.
