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Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting about 9 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. While acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks, chronic back pain lasts for more than three months. Back pain is generally classified according to anatomical location: neck pain (cervical pain), upper back pain (thoracic pain), lower back pain (lumbar pain), or tailbone pain (pelvic pain).
Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain
Pain is subjective, meaning that everyone feels pain differently. Back pain can be constant or intermittent and range from a mild, dull ache to a sudden, severe, and sharp pain that radiates to other areas of the body. Back pain can be felt anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the hips. It can be extreme, especially after lifting heavy objects, engaging in other strenuous activity, or sitting or standing for extended periods. Some patients complain of severe muscle spasms in the low back, causing an inability to stand straight. In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Contact University Spine Associates immediately if your back pain causes a bowel or bladder incontinence, is associated with fever or accompanied by unexplained weight loss, and/or follows a fall or injury.
Back Pain Management and Conservative Treatments
Not all treatments work for all conditions or for all individuals with the same condition. That said, while some patients find pain relief through a combination of heat and massage therapy and the use of medications, others find similar benefits through physical therapy, manipulation, and acupuncture. Some cases may require surgical intervention. Patients with lumbar disc herniation (or degenerative disc disease), spinal stenosis, scoliosis, or compression fractures are good candidates for spinal surgery. If you are such a candidate for spine surgery, your physician will help you determine what interventional treatment is best for you and your condition. With our acute and chronic pain management and treatment services, we’ll help you get back the quality of life you deserve. |
