Back Pain Management Doctor Q&A

Normally, we see mechanical issues and soft-tissue injuries which are the cause of lower back pain. These injuries may include damage to the intervertebral discs in the spine, compression of nerve roots, and improper movement of the spinal joints.

The most common cause of lower back pain is torn or pulled muscles and/or ligaments.
A few conditions that are commonly linked to back pain include:

– Muscle or ligament strains
Repeated heavy lifting or sudden awkward movements can often strain your back muscles and spinal ligaments. Poor physical condition and constant strain on your back can cause painful spasms to occur in your muscles.

– Bulging or ruptured disks
The discs located between each vertebra act as a cushion in your spine. This soft material found inside the disk can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve. You can also have a bulging or ruptured disk without any back pain at all. Disk disease is often found when you end up having spinal X-rays done.

– Arthritis
Arthritis like osteoarthritis can affect an individual’s lower back, and in some cases, it can lead to the narrowing of the space around your spinal cord, which is a condition called spinal stenosis.

– Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can develop when your spine’s vertebrae develop fractures that can be quite painful, this occurs if your bones become porous and brittle.

If you are dealing with back pain, you know every movement that has the potential to cause even worse back pain, like standing, sitting, walking, laughing, or even breathing. When back pain starts to interfere with your everyday life, it becomes an issue, and the age-old question, when should I see a doctor for my back pain may begin to question your thoughts.
There are different types of back pain an individual can deal with; they are placed into two categories: acute or chronic.

Acute back pain is considered short-term. Your back pain came along suddenly without you knowing exactly what may have set it off in the first place. It could have been an awkward movement, or lifting something heavy incorrectly. Most back pain we see is acute back pain, as the pain lasts no longer than six weeks, and in most cases, the cause of the pain does not pose any serious or long-term health problems.

Chronic back pain is considered long-term. It is the more serious of the two, and it is because the symptoms you may be dealing with are strong enough to impact your health, your mobility, and even your quality of life for an extended period of time.

While like acute pain, chronic pain can also come on suddenly, many times individuals notice it building gradually to worse pain levels, as well chronic pain lasts longer than six weeks.
The cause of chronic back pain can be triggered by a new injury or an underlying condition. The most common factor is when your back lacks strength and stability.

Back pain is very common. It usually develops due to overuse or a minor injury that may have been caused, but sometimes there may be no obvious cause.
However, there is not always an obvious cause for your back pain, and at times it can get better on its own with rest and hot or cold therapy as well as over-the-counter pain relievers and gentle stretching.

If the at-home remedies do not help it is highly recommended that you visit a doctor for your lower back pain, especially if it is becoming severe, or if there are other concerning symptoms like tingling or numbness down the legs.

It is highly recommended to seek immediate medical attention if you are dealing with any of the following symptoms:

– Issues walking or moving the legs
– Loss of bowel movements or bladder functions
– Loss of sensation in the legs
– Severe pain

Nova Patient Care provides back pain management depending on your needs with a variety of options including:

– Interventional procedures
– Medication management
– Physical therapy
– Chiropractic therapy
– Psychological counseling and support
– Acupuncture or other alternative therapies
– Referral to a medical specialist if it is considered necessary

If you are looking for help, visit Nova Patient Care. We are here to help you! We serve patients from Woodbridge VA, Bethel VA, Dale City VA, Old Town Alexandria VA, Huntington VA, Fort Hunt VA, Arlington VA, Mclean VA, Idylwood VA, Kingstowne Center Alexandria VA, Franconia VA, Newington VA, Falls Church VA, Annandale VA, Tysons VA, Alexandria Wright, PAC at Nova Patient Care in Woodbridge VA, Falls Church VA, Pentagon City VA, Arlington VA, Kingstowne Center VA, and Richmond Hwy Alexandria VA, Pentagon City Arlington VA, Seven Corners VA, Lake Barcroft, VA and surrounding areas.