Why Does My Back Hurt?

Why does my back hurt?

If this is a question you keep asking, the specialists at Southeast Pain & Spine Care may be able provide an answer.

Many people struggle with back pain that limits what they can do. Often, pain can affect not only work and home life, but the overall quality of life. With constant pain, people just don’t feel like themselves.

Your first step in treating back pain.
Your pain may be constant, or one that comes and goes. It may be isolated to the back, or radiate down into the legs. The pain may even be made worse with certain activities. Your first step in addressing back pain may be talking to your primary care provider, as this is often a clinician you have an established relationship with and trust. More often than not, your primary care provider will begin conservative treatments to treat your pain. Common treatment plans include such things as physical therapy and/or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This initial conservative treatment approach is often effective for many patients.

When to see a specialist.
Controlling and treating pain is complicated. If despite your primary care physician’s best efforts, the initial treatment does not help, or the pain goes away and then comes back, it may be time to see a specialist. Unless you’re having leg weakness or bladder problems, a pain and spine specialist may be able to offer a diagnosis and additional nonsurgical treatment options to treat your back pain. If you are having leg weakness or bladder problems, a neurosurgeon should be consulted.

Many of our patients come to us after struggling with back pain for years, as it can be difficult for primary care physicians to establish a diagnosis. From arthritis or a compressed nerve, to a muscle that cannot relax, there are many potential causes of back pain.

The pain and spine specialists at Southeast Pain & Spine Care can help answer the question “Why does my back hurt?” In today’s advanced medical world, patients experiencing continued back pain, despite conservative treatment options, have access to a specialist for additional testing and evaluation to help uncover a diagnosis. Diagnostic testing recommendations may include an X-ray or advanced imaging such as an MRI.

After a diagnosis is established, your pain and spine specialist can start answering your back pain questions:

How long your pain last?

Are there things you do (or not do) on your own to ease the pain?

What other treatment options exist to treat my pain?

To schedule an appointment for your back pain call 1-866-258-3008

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Written By: Jon-David Hoppenfeld, MD

Medical Director Southeast Pain & Spine Care

Author of Fundementals of Pain Medicine