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Back Pain
Back pain ranges from a relentless aching to a recurring stabbing or shooting sensation. Whatever type of back pain you have, Aditya Patel, MD, at Sports, Pain & Regenerative Institute in Fairview, New Jersey and Montclair, NJ, can help. Dr. Patel uses conservative non-surgical therapies and advanced interventions where needed to treat the cause of your back pain. Find out how to get relief from your back pain with his help by calling Sports, Pain & Regenerative Institute today. You can also schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment online.
What could be causing my back pain?
There are numerous triggers for back pain, including:
Acute injuries
Acute injuries stretch or tear muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your back or may damage the vertebrae and discs that form the spinal column. You could injure your back when playing sports, in an auto or work accident, or a fall.
If you routinely hunch over a keyboard or lift things without using the proper technique, you increase your risk of injury and back pain. Going beyond your fitness limits or a lack of exercise can also lead to injuries and back pain.
Degenerative diseases
Years of wear-and-tear and the effects of aging can lead to changes in your spine that are frequent causes of back pain. Examples of these types of conditions include:
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet joint arthritis
- Bone spurs
- Osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Herniated discs
Herniated discs occur when the soft core of the disc pushes through the outer shell. In many cases, this happens when aging and degenerative disc disease cause the outer shell to weaken. You could also experience a herniated disc if trauma causes a tear in the disc’s outer layer.
What other symptoms might I experience with back pain?
While the injured tissues in your spine can be painful, one of the primary causes of back pain is nerve compression (radiculopathy). That occurs when something in your spinal canal, like a bulging disc, bone spur, or thickened ligament, presses on one or more of the nerves as they exit your spinal cord.
If you have radiculopathy, you might experience additional symptoms such as:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Burning
- Prickling
- “Pins-and-needles” sensation
- Weakness
- Loss of function
Pain and other symptoms often travel into your buttocks, hips, and legs from your lower back. A common example of this problem is lumbar radiculopathy — better known as sciatica.
Sciatica causes a sharp, shooting pain that goes from your lumbar (lower) spine, through the buttock, and down your leg, along the path of your sciatic nerve.
What treatments help with back pain?
At Sports, Pain & Regenerative Institute, Dr. Patel offers a range of treatments for back pain that he tailors to your unique needs. Options include:
- Physical therapy
- Ice and heat
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Trigger point injections
- Epidural steroid injections
- Facet joint injections
- Nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Neuromodulation (spinal cord stimulation)
Dr. Patel excels in using interventional pain management and minimally invasive techniques to improve pain and increase function. His treatments address the causes of your back pain, which reduces or eliminates your need to use prescription pain medication.
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is a common problem affecting many people at some point in their lives. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including strain or injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs in the back, as well as conditions such as arthritis, spinal stenosis, or herniated discs.
Symptoms of low back pain can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Common symptoms include:
- Muscle aches
- Stiffness
- Shooting or sharp pain
- Limited range of motion
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
Treatment for low back pain depends on the underlying cause of the pain and the severity of symptoms. In many cases, self-care measures, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, heat or cold therapy, and gentle stretching and exercise, can be effective in managing low back pain.
Initially, a healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy, chiropractic care, or prescription medications to manage pain.
When pain persists despite conservative measures interventional procedures may be indicated depending on the specific diagnosis.
It is important to seek medical attention if low back pain is accompanied by significant leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or other symptoms that suggest a more serious underlying condition.
To help prevent low back pain, it is important to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and engage in good posture and body mechanics, especially when lifting heavy objects. Additionally, sleeping on a supportive mattress and using proper posture when using can help to reduce stress on the back and minimize the risk of developing low back pain.
Lumbar Disc Herniation
Lumbar disc herniation is a condition in which the gel-like center of a spinal disc bulges or ruptures out of its normal position, putting pressure on nearby nerves and causing pain. The lumbar region of the spine is in the lower back and is comprised of five vertebral bones that are separated by intervertebral discs.
Symptoms of lumbar disc herniation can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Common symptoms include:
- Low back pain
- Shooting or sharp pain in the legs or feet
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
- Weakness in the legs
Treatment for lumbar disc herniation depends on the severity of symptoms and the underlying cause of the herniation. In many cases, self-care measures, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, heat or cold therapy, and gentle stretching and exercise, can be effective in managing pain. Initially a healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy, chiropractic care, or prescription medications to manage pain. Epidural steroid injections can be highly effective in reducing pain and restoring functioning by reducing inflammation and swelling associated with disc herniation. It is important to seek medical attention if lumbar disc herniation is accompanied by significant leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or other symptoms that suggest a more serious underlying condition. To help prevent lumbar disc herniation, it is important to maintain good posture, engage in regular exercise, and avoid repetitive motions that put stress on the lower back, such as heavy lifting or long periods of sitting. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in good posture when sitting can help to reduce stress on the lower back and minimize the risk of developing lumbar disc herniation.
Lumbar Radiculopathy
Lumbar radiculopathy is a condition in which the nerve roots in the lower back become compressed or irritated, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs and feet. This condition is often caused by conditions such as lumbar herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or spinal arthritis.
Symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Common symptoms include:
- Low back pain
- Shooting or sharp pain in the legs or feet
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
- Weakness in the legs
Treatment for lumbar radiculopathy depends on the underlying cause of the compression or irritation of the nerve roots. In many cases, self-care measures, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, heat or cold therapy, and gentle stretching and exercise, can be effective in managing pain.
Lumbar Disc Degeneration
Lumbar disc degeneration is a common condition in which the intervertebral discs in the lower back lose their normal structure and function. This can cause pain and discomfort, and in some cases, may lead to other related conditions such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
The intervertebral discs are cushioning pads located between the vertebral bones of the spine. They act as shock absorbers and allow for the smooth, flexible movement of the spine. Over time, the discs can degenerate due to aging, injury, or other factors, causing them to lose their ability to absorb shock and support the spine.
Symptoms of lumbar disc degeneration can include:
- Low back pain
- Stiffness and limited mobility in the lower back
- Shooting or sharp pain in the legs or feet
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
Treatment for lumbar disc degeneration depends on the severity of symptoms and the underlying cause of the disc degeneration. In many cases, self-care measures, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, heat or cold therapy, and gentle stretching and exercise, can be effective in managing pain.
Initially a healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy, chiropractic care, or prescription medications to manage pain.
In more severe cases, interventional procedures such as epidural injections or surgery may be necessary to manage pain. Interventional pain specialists can help target the specific component sources of pain and offer a graded treatment approach to develop a customized plan specific for each patient.
A variety of minimally invasive interventional procedures are now available to significantly reduce pain and help restore functioning.
It is important to seek medical attention if lumbar disc degeneration is accompanied by significant leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or other symptoms that suggest a more serious underlying condition.
To help prevent lumbar disc degeneration, it is important to maintain good posture, engage in regular exercise, and avoid repetitive motions that put stress on the lower back, such as heavy lifting or long periods of sitting. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in good posture when sitting can help to reduce stress on the lower back and minimize the risk of developing lumbar disc degeneration.
Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication are related conditions that occur when the spinal canal in the lower back becomes narrowed, compressing the nerves and spinal cord. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the term used to describe the narrowing of the spinal canal, while neurogenic claudication refers to the symptoms that result from the compression of the nerves and spinal cord.
The spinal canal is the pathway through which the spinal cord and nerves run. Over time, the canal may become narrowed due to factors such as aging, injury, or the development of spinal conditions such as osteoarthritis or herniated discs.
Symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication can include:
- Low back pain
- Shooting or sharp pain in the legs or feet
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
- Weakness in the legs
- Cramping or fatigue in the legs, especially when walking or standing for long periods
In some cases, neurogenic claudication can cause a person to experience symptoms when walking or standing for long periods, but to feel relief when sitting or bending forward. This is known as positional neurogenic claudication.
Treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication depends on the severity of symptoms and the underlying cause of the stenosis.
Interventional procedures such as epidural injections or surgery may be necessary to manage pain.
Minimally Invasive Interventional Pain Procedures are now able to provide long term relief and significant improvement in functioning without surgery.
- Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) Procedure: A percutaneous spinal decompression procedure which targets the thickened posterior ligament to reduce spinal nerve compression.
- Vertiflex Interspinous spacer: An implant placed between the spinous processes which limits hyperextension of the spine and prevents nerve compression related to spinal stenosis.
It is important to seek medical attention if lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication is accompanied by significant leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or other symptoms that suggest a more serious underlying condition.
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Mid Back Pain
Mid back pain refers to discomfort or pain experienced in the region between the lower neck and the upper lumbar spine, also known as the thoracic spine. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, muscle strain, injury, or underlying medical conditions such as osteoporosis or spinal arthritis.
Symptoms of mid back pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing sensations and may be accompanied by muscle tightness or spasms. The pain may be constant or may come and go, and can be made worse by certain activities such as bending or lifting heavy objects.
To alleviate mid back pain, it is important to identify and address the underlying cause. Simple measures such as practicing good posture, using proper lifting techniques, and engaging in gentle stretching and exercise can help prevent or reduce symptoms. Over-the-counter pain medications, heat therapy, and massage may also provide relief.
If your mid back pain is persistent or severe, it is important to seek medical evaluation. Your healthcare provider can help determine the cause of your pain and develop an appropriate treatment plan, which may include physical therapy, prescription medications, or other interventions.
In some cases, mid back pain can indicate a more serious underlying condition and prompt treatment is important to prevent long-term complications. By taking an active role in managing your mid back pain, you can improve your quality of life and reduce your risk of further injury or disability.