Back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Though common, without proper treatment back pain can make even simple tasks like getting into the car or taking the dog for a walk nearly impossible. 

Your back features a complex network of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Each of these components plays an important role in supporting your upper body whenever you walk, run, or climb a flight of stairs. As you get older, these hard and soft tissues experience wear-and-tear. 

Other common causes of back pain include slip-and-fall accidents, automobile accidents, and sports injuries. 

What are the symptoms of back pain?

The symptoms of back pain vary from person to person and depend on the underlying injury or illness. Common telltale signs of back pain include:

• Muscle aches
• Shooting or stabbing pain
• Pain that radiates down your leg
• Pain that improves with rest or reclining
• Dull or throbbing pain

If you suffer from back pain, you might also notice that your symptoms get worse when you perform physical activities such as walking, lifting, or twisting. 

What are some common causes of back pain?

Back pain occurs for a variety of reasons. Crenshaw Interventional Pain Specialists regularly diagnoses and treats back pain caused by:

• Muscle strains
• Ligament strains
• Bulging or ruptured discs
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Sports injuries
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Skeletal irregularities like kyphosis and scoliosis are another common cause of back pain.

How is back pain diagnosed?

To diagnose back pain, your Crenshaw Interventional Pain Specialists provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you questions about your symptoms. Your provider also assesses your ability to stand, sit, squat, and lift your legs. 

If your provider suspects a specific condition is the cause of your pain, they might also recommend X-rays or an MRI to get a closer look at the bones, joints, and soft tissues in your spine.

How is back pain treated?

Treatment for back pain depends on the severity of your symptoms and goals for treatment. The providers at Crenshaw Interventional Pain Specialists usually recommend conservative, integrative treatments such as rest, ice, and physical therapy. For moderate or severe pain, they might also recommend epidural injections, facet joint injections, or nerve blocks. If your pain persists, surgical intervention may be necessary.

To request your back pain consultation at Crenshaw Interventional Pain Specialists today, call the office or book online.