Back Pain

Back Pain Overview

Back pain is a very common issue in the American populous. This is because of the high rates of obesity and trauma seen in the average American. Back pain can be due to benign diseases as well as highly emergent diseases as well. Due to the intrinsic intricate nature of the spinal column and intertwining nervous tissue it is often hard to diagnose the cause of back pain initially. Usually medical advice is needed for definitive answers. Even then this may not be enough to diagnose back pain. Imaging such as CT scans and MRI's may aide the clinician in the proper diagnosis of a specific spinal issue.

The spinal column is made of a stack of spinal bones called vertebrae that sit one on top of the other. This stack has a centralized space that houses the spinal cord. These bones constantly go under wear and tear as you age. There is a process of micro-fractures and remodeling that causes the spinal column to develop scar tissue which can ultimately press on the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the intricate interweaving mesh of nerves that radiates from the brain. Think of the brain as the smart computer, and the nerves in the spinal cord as the wires to the rest of the body for central communication purposes. This is the part of the spine that is the most delicate, and thus the most sensitive to injury and pain. For questions call us at 1 336-252-2215.

Back Pain: Common Causes

Back Arthritis: This is a process caused by wear and tear on the normal human spine. The spine is a structure that has to last for the duration of the human lifetime. This does not come without consequences. The tissue of the spine has to constantly regenerate from constant microtrauma. This micro-trauma creates microscopic fractures in the bone tissue which can then be remodeled by the cells of the body in order to maintain the structural integrity of the spine. Often times cells will remodel to make sure the bone is stronger, inherently laying down an excess of scar tissue in their wake. Once this tissue forms it can grow and press on pain sensitive nerves causing severe pain and discomfort. In other instances the bone and cartilage can be worn down until there is only bone on bone contact. All of these scenarios lead to excruciating back pain. Arthritis is easy to diagnose and the most likely cause of your back pain, but arthritis is often the hardest to completely treat due to the chronicity of the disease. There is no definitive treatment for arthritis but we can treat symptoms of pain. First line medications for back arthritis are Tylenol and Ibuprofen. This is used to resolve the inflammation associated with arthritis. Steroid injections to the spine can also resolve inflammatory issues. Physical therapy can also be used along side pain management in order to strengthen the muscles that support the back. This can lead to a more synergistic management of the workload applied to the back during every day activities.

Sciatica: This condition is caused by the same remodeling process mentioned above. As there is wear and tear on the back cells will create scar tissue for more spinal support leading to displacement of nerves in the spinal canal. These nerves are often sensitive pain sensing nerves that fire when irritated causing sensations of severe pain. There is a very common culmination of symptoms known as sciatica that is a result of this disease process. Sciatica is characterized by radiating pain shooting down the back of the thigh, to the leg and ultimately ending at the heal of the foot. This is made worse by sitting on your wallet, and a straight leg raise while lying down. The pain described in sciatica is described as electrical and shocking. This is due to the impingement of nerves leading to these painful areas. Often sciatica is due to disk herniation or joint remodeling. This is best diagnosed with an MRI scan if warranted by your physician. The best treatment for sciatica is over the counter pain mediation such as Tylenol and ibuprofen. There are also nerve targeting therapies such as gabapentin (also known as Neurontin). These can slow nerve conduction and help with you painful symptoms. For questions call us at 1 336-252-2215.

Back Emergencies

Spinal Stenosis: This is a conditioned characterized by spine remodeling as a result of wear and tear on the back as well. Scar tissue an build up around the joints and along the sides of the spinal canal. The spinal cord is housed in the spinal canal. When there is build up of tissue in the spinal canal this can press on the spinal cord and completely shut the nerves down. If the nerves are irritated for long enough there is a chance they can completely disconnect. This situation is a dire situation because when the nerves are cut off they cannot receive signals from the brains. You could experience severe neurological issues such as permanent pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling along with loss of bowel and bladder function. This is almost always permanent unless you consult your physician immediately. Testing can be done, including imaging, in order to make sure that this pressure is relieved from your spine. If you have questions about back pain then call our toll free number now. For questions call us at 1 336-252-2215.