Back Pain

If you’re experiencing back pain, you’re not alone. Back pain, one of the most common medical conditions in the US, can range from a dull, recurring ache to sharp, sudden pain. At Saint Vincent Hospital, we have back and spine care specialists and neurosurgeons to help relieve your back pain.

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Move Better, Live Better

If back pain already affects the quality of your life, consider getting advanced and personalized back pain treatment at Saint Vincent Hospital. Our back doctors in Worcester, MA will work with you to give you a course of treatment and recovery options, focusing on recommending nonsurgical options first.

However, if non-invasive treatment options do not work, we may perform any of our spine surgery procedures suitable for your case. No matter the cause of your back pain, we can help you determine the best plan of action for your back pain through our skilled, hands-on evaluation and diagnosis.

What Causes Back Pain

Back pain may be caused by structural or medical problems that develop in the spine, muscles, ligaments, tendons or discs in the back. Inflammatory and other medical conditions may also hurt a patient’s back. While certain diseases and traumatic injuries can cause back pain, here are the common causes of back pain:

Improper Body Mechanics
Incorrect Bending or Lifting Techniques
Poor Posture
Poor Physical Condition

Our spine specialists use their clinical expertise for a quick, accurate diagnosis to develop a plan of care that fits your needs. We will exhaust every appropriate treatment option before considering surgery. For instance, our interventional specialists treat back pain with nonsurgical approaches such as medication management and injections.

However, there are cases where prescribed rest, exercise, conditioning programs or physical therapy are insufficient. If a surgical procedure becomes the right choice, our team of spine treatment specialists, including orthopedic specialists and neurosurgeons, are trained to effectively correct problems related to:

Acquired and congenital spinal deformities
Ankylosing spondylolisthesis
Congenital changes to the backbone
Degenerative disc disease
Dislocations and subluxations
Endometriosis
Fibromyalgia
Fractured vertebrae
Herniated or ruptured disc
Inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine
Kidney stones
Mechanical back dysfunction
Osteoporosis
Pregnancy
Scoliosis
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
Sprain
Strain and contusions
Systemic diseases affecting the spine
Traumatic and overuse spinal injuries
Tumors that develop on the spine or other back parts (rare)
Whiplash injuries
Work-related back pain

What Is a Spine Specialist Called?

The types of healthcare providers who will be involved in treating your back pain will depend on the cause of your condition:

Neurologists: treat conditions and disorders affecting the brain, spine and nerves
Neurosurgeons: perform surgery to treat nerve, brain and spinal disorders
Orthopedists: treat and perform surgery for diseases affecting the joints and bones
Pain specialists such as anesthesiologists with specialization in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of various pain types
Physical therapists: specialize in strengthening muscles
Primary or family care doctors
Rheumatologists: specialize in treating autoimmune disorders and musculoskeletal disease

When Should You See a Spine Specialist?

Depending on the severity of your back pain, you may feel pain only in a specific spot on your back or pain that radiates to your leg, hip or buttocks. You may experience worsening back pain when lifting, bending, sitting, standing or resting. Some people may feel back stiffness upon waking up with pain that lessens with activity.

You should visit a doctor if your back pain does not improve after a few weeks or if it comes along with fever, difficulty in urinating, unintended weight loss or pain, weakness or numbness in your legs. See a doctor if you feel:

Back pain after an injury or fall
Severe back pain that medication does not improve
Tingling and numbness

Back Pain Treatment

Your doctor may recommend medications to treat your back pain, such as:

Anti-inflammatory drugs
Muscle relaxants
Numbing injections
Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers

You may use cold packs to relieve some back pain and hot packs to increase blood flow in your back’s muscles and tissues to promote healing. As much as possible, avoid bed rest. Limit exercise or activities that cause pain. Increase physical activity at a pace you can tolerate.

When performing daily activities such as pulling, pushing or lifting, properly move your body. Healthy habits such as relaxation, exercise, regular sleep, quitting smoking and a healthy diet can help prevent back pain.

Physical therapy and exercise may help decrease back pain by strengthening the muscles that support your back and improving your posture, mobility and positioning. Consult with your physician before starting an exercise routine. Here are other alternative and complementary treatments that may relieve your back pain:

Acupuncture: Chinese practice that uses needles to relieve pain
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): low-voltage electric currents are used to treat pain
Spinal manipulation: to massage and adjust the spine and muscles

What Are the Different Types of Back Pain Surgery?

Back surgery procedures may be recommended to relieve pain. A doctor must thoroughly assess a patient for surgery, as not everyone may qualify. The type of surgery will depend on a patient’s medical history and the cause of back pain. The doctor will walk a patient through back pain surgery's risks and possible benefits. Here are standard spine surgery procedures:

Disc replacement surgery: a surgeon replaces a damaged spinal disc with a synthetic one
Discectomy and microdiscectomy: relieve pressure on a nerve root or spinal canal by removing part of a herniated disc
Foraminotomy: treats spinal stenosis by cleaning out and widening the area where the nerve roots leave the spinal canal
Laminectomy: the doctor eases pressure on the nerves of the back by removing the bony spurs of a patient with spinal stenosis
Laser surgery: relieves pressure on the nerves by using a laser to reduce the size of a damaged spinal disc
Radiofrequency lesioning: prevents pain signals from reaching the spinal cord
Spinal fusion: treats spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease by joining together the spinal vertebrae that have slipped from their original position

How Serious Is Back Surgery?

Back pain surgery can carry higher risks than other surgery types because this procedure is done closer to the nervous system. A patient with successful surgery may still take a long time to recover. Some patients may lose their flexibility permanently.

Treatment That Brings Relief

We strive to help you through personalized and compassionate care during your spine care journey. Contact us to receive an appropriate diagnosis on the possible causes of your back pain so we may recommend treatment options that may ease your pain.

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Living With a Herniated Disc

Between the 26 bones in your spine (the vertebrae) are cushions called discs that keep the bones in place. Over time, the discs can wear out, or they can rupture. If the disc presses against the spinal cord or a nerve, it can be very painful. Most people who have a herniated disc recover in about four weeks. Your doctor can assess the amount of damage and recommend treatment.

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

Discs become less pliable as you age, making them easier to tear. When a tear happens, the inside of the disc can press on the nerves and be painful. Movement puts more pressure on the area, leading to more pain. In addition to the risks from age, being overweight, smoking or an inactive lifestyle can also weaken the discs. Tears can happen when:

Lifting a heavy object
Bending and twisting with repetition
Sitting in the same position consistently, such as at a desk

Herniated Disc Symptoms

Herniated discs are more common in the upper (cervical) area and lower back (lumbar). Watch for these signs of an upper back herniated disc:

Neck pain when moving
Shoulder blade area pain
Pain that goes down the arm into the fingers
Upper body numbness (shoulder, elbow, forearm, fingers)

For the lower back, symptoms may be referred to as sciatica and include:

Leg, hip or buttocks pain or numbness
Weakness in one leg
Back of calf or sole of foot numbness or pain

Six Ways to Manage Pain

Depending on the treatment recommended by your doctor, you may have some pain while you heal. To minimize the pain and prevent further injury:

Don’t sleep on your stomach.
Wear only flat or very low-heeled shoes.
Hold objects close to your body when carrying.
To lift an object, keep your back straight and bend with your knees and hips. (Don’t bend over and lift.)
Put your feet on a stool when sitting for a long time so that knees are higher than hips.
Put one foot on a small stool or box if you’re standing for a long time.

Herniated Disc Treatment

Types of treatment your doctor may recommend include:

Pain medication such as over the counter muscle relaxants
Physical therapy to strengthen back muscles and reduce pressure on the disc
Injections of steroids to reduce inflammation – one or more shots over time
Surgery to repair or remove the disc

When to Seek Immediate Help

After 4 to 6 weeks, if you feel worse or still have pain or numbness, call your doctor. Also, call if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Loss of feeling in the legs or feet
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Difficulty going to the bathroom
Additional pain or weakness in your spine
Extreme pain at night
Weight loss

Like many conditions, living a healthy lifestyle can help keep your body in good working condition. Get regular exercise (especially to strengthen your abdomen and back), maintain a healthy weight, avoid prolonged sitting, use caution when lifting heavy objects and try to avoid repetitive movements.

Source:
American Academy of Family Physicians