1. What are some of the causes of back pain?

People experience back pain for many reasons. Back pain can result from an injury, a developmental defect such as scoliosis, spinal degeneration, arthritis and repetitive work or sports related injuries.

Conditions that cause back pain include:
If you injure a ligament, tendon or muscle in your lower back, you can develop a lumbar strain or sprain.

If a disc between your vertebrae bulges or ruptures, a herniated disc develops, pinching the spinal nerves. This usually causes pain or numbness.

If you have lower back pain, lumbar facet joint syndrome may be to blame. These joints are located on either side of your spine and are attached to your vertebra. Lumbar facet syndrome is often mistaken for sciatica.

Disc problems or arthritis can cause spinal stenosis, causing lower back pain. Spinal stenosis happens when the spinal canal narrows or it can happen in the area where the nerve roots exit. When the nerves are compressed, sciatica-like symptoms can occur.

Your sacroiliac joint joins your hip to your spine. If this joint becomes inflamed, you can develop sacroiliitis.

Sciatica is a burning pain that starts in the buttock and runs down the back of the thigh. In some cases, sciatic pain can extend to the lower leg or foot. Sciatica can result from spinal stenosis or herniated discs.

When the nerves of the cervical spine don’t work properly, cervical radiculopathy can occur. Cervical radiculopathy is also known as having a “pinched nerve” in the neck. It may cause weakness, numbness and pain.

2. At what point should I see a physician about my back or neck pain?

If you have persistent back or neck or pain, numbness or weakness that radiates out to your arms or legs for more a few days, you should see a spine specialist. If this pain is the result of a traumatic injury, you should seek immediate medical attention.

3. What type of doctor should I go to for my neck or back pain?

Working with a physician who specializes in back and neck care saves valuable time in finding appropriate pain management solutions. The physicians at Baptist Center for Spine Care have received advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of back and neck pain problems. The Center houses many types of spinal care specialists—from neurosurgeons and interventional radiologists to pain management physicians and physical therapists.

4. How do the doctors at Baptist Center for Spine Care diagnose back or neck pain?

Accurate diagnosis is the initial step in overcoming pain. On your first visit, you are evaluated by our physiatrist—a physician who specializes in determining types of injuries and causes of pain. The physiatrist develops a plan for your further diagnosis and treatment. Then, our highly skilled diagnosticians use one or more of the following methods to diagnose your condition:

• X-Ray
• MRI
• CT Scan
• Myelography
• Discogram
• Electromyogram
  
  

5. How is back and neck pain treated?

Specialists today use many methods to alleviate and manage pain. At Baptist Center for Spine Care, we prefer conservative treatment methods whenever possible. These may include a combination of several therapies, such as: rest, heat or ice therapy, exercise, over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and injections.  If conservative approaches aren’t sufficient, surgery may be an option for some patients.

6. What types of spine surgery are offered at Baptist Center for Spine Care?

Baptist Center for Spine Care surgeons perform many types of corrective surgeries, from minimally invasive procedures to traditional surgeries.

7. Is surgery always necessary? What are my alternatives?

The majority of patients can resolve back or neck pain without surgery. Pain management and spinal care has progressed to levels that allow physicians to offer many surgical alternatives. These include physical and rehabilitative therapy, corticosteroid injections, anti-inflammatory drugs and therapeutic massage.

8. What are the benefits of surgery?

If pain persists once all conservative options are exhausted, surgery may be the best way to alleviate pain, restore function, prevent further damage and improve health.

9. What are the risks of surgery?

As with any invasive surgical procedure, spine or neck surgery has a risk of infection, blood loss, nerve damage, paralysis, death or post-surgical complications. To lower these risks, BCSC surgeons use minimally invasive surgical methods when possible. Minimally invasive surgery results in less loss of blood and less trauma to muscle tissue. Patients have reduced scarring and a quicker recovery, too.

Additionally, patients should know that at BCSC, surgery is only considered after all other therapies prove unsuccessful in managing pain. Our surgeons are some of the finest in their field. Their years of experience and conservative philosophy help ensure patients of the best possible outcome.

10. What is minimally invasive surgery and how does it differ from traditional surgery?

With minimally invasive surgery, surgeons work through a few tiny incisions versus a large open incision. Using specialized instruments and a tiny camera, they are able to project images from inside the patient’s body to an operating room monitor. The real-time images and delicate instruments allow surgeons to operate with pinpoint accuracy within the smallest incisions.

Minimally invasive surgery has several advantages over traditional open incision surgery, including: less blood loss, fewer scars, lower risk of infection and faster recovery time.

11. What types of exercise can I do to keep my back healthy?

Your spine specialist or physical therapist will design an exercise plan tailored to your specific condition. In general, most patients benefit from exercises that strengthen and tone the lower abdominals and improve back strength and stability. Back and neck patients should also incorporate postural exercises into their daily work-out routine.  Swimming, walking, stretching, dancing, cross-country skiing, tai chi and yoga help improve your overall spine health.

12. How important is posture?

Proper posture is a major factor in preventing further injury and pain. A balanced posture keeps your joints in a neutral position and makes your body movements smooth, safe and strong. Your posture is a major factor in preventing injury and pain.

13. How can I keep my back healthy after surgery?

Start by following your post-operative treatment plan. Keep your follow-up doctor appointments, take recommended medications on schedule, communicate with your doctor and fully participate in your physical therapy program. After surgery, you may continue to benefit from rest, heat or ice therapy and positioning adjustments.

Continue to strengthen your muscles and increase your flexibility by doing safe exercises as recommended by your physical therapist. Lose weight, if necessary, to ease the burden on your back. Be realistic—don’t expect to run a marathon or undertake a big home improvement project within weeks of surgery. To keep your back healthy, you will need to make some lifestyle modifications.

14. I do physical labor in my job. Should I wear a back brace?

Your physician may recommend using a lumbar support belt for your condition. Generally, back braces are prescribed for short-term use. Wearing a brace for long periods can weaken your back and abdominal muscles. An abdominal strengthening routine is a better way to support your back and spine.

15. Should I avoid all forms of exercise if I'm having back pain?

Not necessarily. Inactivity stiffens joints and weakens muscles. Your physician or physical therapist can recommend gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to relieve tension and pain. Exercise periods are usually brief and are followed by a short rest period. If your pain increases after exercising, do fewer repetitions or make other adjustments. By engaging in a physician or therapist supervised exercise program, you reduce your chances of further injury.