Typically, you have or are likely to experience back pain at some stage in your life. Different factors may lead to lower back pain, including accidents, health conditions, or damage to your spine. The pain can make your life distressing, and you do not deserve that. The lower back pain Livingston specialist and pain management expert, Dr. Jay M. Shah, can help you live a pain-free life. Keep reading to discover more about lower back pain and how you can overcome it.
What are the different types of lower back pain?
Lower back pain results from various causes, leading to different forms of back pain. Here are among the common types of back pain.
Herniated disc
It is a condition that develops when one of the discs across the vertebrae becomes damaged. The disc contains gel-like contents that cushion your spine and enhance your vertebrae’s smooth movement.
Damage to the disc causes the vertebrae to rub each other, causing pain.
Radiculopathy
It involves a pinched nerve that occurs when spinal problems put pressure on the root of your spinal nerves. Some of the conditions that lead to nerve pinching include bulging and herniated discs, among other issues at the bottom of your spine.
Radiculopathy causes sharp pain that comes and disappears. It also causes you to experience stabbing lower back pain when you sneeze or cough, among other movements that involve force.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis causes the narrowing of your spinal canal. It leads to nerve compression, causing pain, tingling sensations, and numbness. You are likely to experience spinal stenosis if you have osteoarthritis.
Sciatica
It is a condition that occurs due to sciatic nerve damage. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back to the leg, causing the pain to travel down to your legs. You may also develop tingling and a burning sensation in your leg when you have sciatica.
Muscle strain
Muscle strain can also lead to chronic back pain. Without treatments, it might become severe, causing permanent harm. A muscle strain may also result from vertebrae or ligament damage.
Whatever the cause of your back pain, please seek medical treatments to prevent complications.
Treatments options for lower back pain
Your provider at SamWell Institute for Pain Management offers customized treatment plans to address the cause of your pain and restore your health and function. Some of the available treatments include:
- A spinal cord stimulator implant that helps adjust the nerve pain signals
- Spinal cord stimulation that prevents lower back pain sensations
- Superion interspinous Spacer (Vertiflex) to treat spinal stenosis
- Therapy for damaged tissue healing
- Radiofrequency neurotomy of the lumbar facets for facet joint pain
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Microdiscectomy with Annuloplasty for herniated discs
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
How to prevent future lower back pain?
Your provider recommends the following to lower your chances of experiencing lower back pain.
- Specific recovery routines
- Strengthening exercises
- New safety equipment during your sports activities
If lower back pain affects your daily routine, consider seeing a medical provider evaluate your health and providing treatments. Contact SamWell Institute for Pain Management today to schedule your consultation.