What is back pain?
Back pain is a common pain complaint that affects millions of people every year. The severity of pain varies, ranging from a dull ache to severely debilitating pain. Back pain may be acute or chronic.
Acute back pain
You may develop acute back pain after an unexpected injury. This type of pain usually resolves within a few days or a few weeks once the underlying injury heals.
Chronic back pain
Chronic back pain is pain that lasts three or more months. About 20% of acute back pain conditions turn into chronic back pain.
If you have back pain, Dr. Kumar can help. He takes a conservative approach to care and offers many innovative treatments to help you get long-term relief.
What causes back pain?
In most cases, back pain develops from a problem that affects the normal structure or function of the back or spine. Some of the more common causes of back pain include:
- Sprain or strain
- Herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Sciatica
- Osteoporosis
- Skeletal irregularities (e.g., scoliosis, kyphosis)
- Fractures
- Spinal nerve compression
Though not as common, back pain may also develop from non-back-related problems, such as kidney stones or fibromyalgia.
What can I expect during a back pain evaluation?
When you visit New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center for help with back pain, you can expect a comprehensive exam. Dr. Kumar reviews your symptoms, including when they started and the type of pain you feel.
He asks about your medical history and performs a physical exam. To confirm or rule out a diagnosis to explain your back pain, Dr. Kumar requests diagnostic tests, such as blood work, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
How is back pain treated?
Dr. Kumar develops individualized treatment plans for back pain based on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause. Treatment may include:
- Activity modification
- Heat and ice
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Anticonvulsants to reduce nerve pain
- Pain medication
- Spinal injections
- Spinal cord stimulation
When conservative measures fail to provide relief from your back pain, Dr. Kumar may recommend minimally invasive spine procedures, such as a discectomy or decompression.
What is spinal cord stimulation?
Spinal cord stimulation is a device that delivers mild electrical impulses to the spinal cord to alleviate pain. Dr. Kumar may recommend spinal cord stimulation to treat chronic back pain when conservative or surgical treatments fail to provide sufficient pain relief.
Spinal cord stimulation may reduce pain, improve quality of life, and decrease reliance on pain medication.
Call New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center, or book an appointment online today to discuss treatment options for your back pain.
