If you are experiencing back pain right now, and you don’t want addictive pain medications or surgery, call The Pain Management Center.

We try our very best to treat patients without first turning to addictive narcotics or surgery.

Continue reading to learn more details about upper and lower back pain, and to find out how we treat this condition.

What is Back Pain?

Back pain is a common condition that can either be acute or chronic. If it comes on suddenly and lasts 3 months or less, it can be categorized as acute pain. However, if back pain lasts longer than 3 months and causes long-term health issues, it can be categorized as chronic pain.

Back pain is common in adults ranging in age from 35 to 55. However, back pain can affect anyone at any age. It has to do with the way the muscles, bones, and ligaments work together in the back region.

There are several symptoms associated with back pain that you should be aware of.

Common Symptoms of Back Pain

• back stiffness
• weak back
• back gives out
• numbness in leg or foot
• achiness or pain anywhere on the back
• difficulty moving (sometimes can prevent standing or walking)
• achy or dull pain
• soreness when touched

If any of the following symptoms occur in accordance with back pain, you should seek medical help as soon as possible:

• difficulty urinating or incontinence
• fecal incontinence
• back trauma or injury
• pain below the knees
• pain that travels down to the legs
• constant back pain that won’t go away no matter what you try
• pain or numbness in buttocks, genitals, thighs, or legs
• inflammation or swelling on the upper or lower back
• fever
• weight loss

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call The Pain Management Center. We can help determine the cause(s) of your back pain so we can provide proper, effective treatment.

What Causes Back Pain?

There are many things that can cause back pain, regardless of whether it is lower or upper back pain. Here are a few common events or instances that can cause back pain:

As you can see, the list of causes is quite long (and many more can probably be added). But how do you treat and care for lower and upper back pain?

Treatment and Care Options

Traditional therapies and complementary, alternative therapies for upper and lower back pain include:

• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• partial removal of a vertebra
• partial removal of a disk (a discectomy)
• insertion of an artificial disk
• back surgery options
• back injections (i.e. Botox, Cortisone, epidural steroid injection, transforaminal injection)
• physical therapy
• tricyclic antidepressants
• medications for pain (over-the-counter medications and prescription)
• TENS therapy (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
• acupuncture
• shiatsu (also known as finger pressure therapy)
• chiropractic care
• osteopathy
• burn nerves for pain
• high frequency spinal cord stimulator
• rhizotomy

Managing and Living With Back Pain

Wondering how to manage and live with back pain on a daily basis? Many of our patients wonder the same thing, but now we’re here to give you some tips for daily living to lessen and/or prevent back pain.

• Ask your physical therapist about exercises you can do to strengthen the back muscles. It is very important to develop good core muscle strength, as this will help to lessen the amount of back pain you may experience. Good exercises should target the hips, back, abdominals, and the pelvic region.
• When lifting something, not matter how heavy it is, always lift with your knees instead of using your back. This will take the pressure off of your back so it doesn’t become strained or injured, which can lead to pain.
• When standing or sitting down, always practice good posture. Good posture may become easier when you have stronger core muscles, too.
• Avoid the common urge to lay down when your back hurts. Laying down is okay sometimes, but not all of the time. Instead, ask your doctor or physical therapist if it’s okay that you do some stretching or other light exercises.
• If pain intensifies, call your doctor. It is always best to be safe than sorry.