Lower Back Pain

What are the different types of lower back pain?

There are many different types of lower back pain, and the cause of your pain may be directly related to your specific condition. Some of the most common kinds of back pain are:

Herniated disc

A herniated disc occurs when one of the discs between your vertebrae is damaged. Often, herniated discs leak some of their gel-like contents, which means your vertebrae may grind together painfully.

Spinal stenosis

In spinal stenosis, the areas that your nerves travel through in your spine grow quite narrow. This narrowing compresses the nerves and can cause pain, numbness, and uncomfortable tingling sensations. Spinal stenosis is often related to osteoarthritis.

Radiculopathy

Radiculopathy is commonly called a pinched nerve. This condition occurs when the root of one of your spinal nerves is pressured by a herniated disc, bulging disc, or other problems in the base of your spine. This condition can cause sharp pain that tends to come and go. You may experience a sudden stabbing pain in your lower back when you cough, sneeze or make other forceful movements if you have radiculopathy.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition in which your sciatic nerve is damaged. The sciatic nerve extends from your lower back into your leg, so the pain often shoots down your leg. Sciatica may also cause burning and tingling in your lower back or leg.

Muscle strain

Muscle strain can cause severe pain in your lower back, and if you ignore the problem, it can grow serious enough to incapacitate you. Muscle strain is sometimes connected to other issues like ligament or vertebrae damage.

No matter why you’re dealing with lower back pain, it’s important to seek solutions now, so the problems don’t grow worse.

How is lower back pain treated?

Lower back pain treatment at SamWell Institute for Pain Management is customized based on what caused your pain, as well as your response to treatment. Some of the many treatment options include:

• Superion® InterSpinous Spacer (Vertiflex) for spinal stenosis
• Spinal cord stimulator implant (trial procedure) to modify nerve pain signals
• Spinal cord stimulation to block lower back pain sensations
• Radiofrequency neurotomy of the lumbar facets for facet joint (between-vertebrae) pain
• Therapy for damaged tissue healing
• Microdiscectomy with Annuloplasty, minimally invasive surgery for herniated discs
• Physical therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Acupuncture

Dr. Shah will design a pain relief plan to give you optimal relief.

How can I avoid future lower back pain?

Dr. Shah will help you plan for the future. He may recommend strengthening exercises, new safety equipment during sports, specific recovery routines, and more.

Use the online scheduling tool or call SamWell Institute for Pain Management to get lower back pain help now.