Back Pain Treatment
Whether it’s in the neck, upper back, or lower back – back pain is one of the most common medical problems, and also the leading cause of disability worldwide. In fact, most people will experience some form of back pain at least once in their lives.
Doctors for Back Pain at The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
Pain in the spine can be acute – meaning it comes on suddenly and lasts no more than six weeks – or chronic – meaning it lasts more than three months. Symptoms include:
- Muscle aches
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Pain that extends to shoulders and arms or down your leg
- Pain that worsens when you bend, lift, stand, or walk
- Pain that improves when you recline
Causes of Back Pain
There are many causes of spinal pain ranging from overexertion to poor posture to degenerative disease. The most common conditions causing back pain include:
- A muscle or ligament strain. You can easily strain your back muscles or spinal ligaments with repeated heavy lifting or an awkward sudden movement. This is especially true if you are in poor physical condition. Constant straining of your back can also lead to muscle spasms.
- A bulging or ruptured disc. Discs serve as cushions between the vertebrae (bones) in your spine. When the soft material inside the disc bulges or ruptures, it can press against a nerve.
- Degenerative disc disease. Degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis can affect your spine, most often in the neck or low back. For example, arthritis can lead to spinal stenosis, a condition in which the space surrounding the spinal cord becomes narrower.
- Osteoporosis. If your bones become porous and brittle, your spine’s vertebrae can develop painful compression fractures.
- Scoliosis. Skeletal irregularities such as curvature of the spine can cause back pain.
When Should You See a Doctor for Back Pain?
Although most conditions gradually improve within a few weeks with self-care, you should see your doctor if it doesn’t improve by then. Also, you should see your doctor if you’re experiencing back pain for the first time after age 50 or have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or excessive drug or alcohol use. Seek immediate medical attention if your back pain is caused by a fall or other injury, is accompanied by a fever, or causes bowel or bladder problems.
Back Pain Treatment in Columbia, Eldersburg, and Catonsville, MD
At The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, our board-certified, highly experienced spine specialists can identify the cause of your back pain and provide effective treatment. Call us today at (410) 644-1880 for an appointment at any of our offices in Catonsville, Columbia, or Eldersburg or you can schedule an appointment online.
