About 65 million Americans experience back pain at any given time. Without proper treatment, back pain can prevent you from participating in your favorite activities or lead to more serious health problems. At Athens Spine Center in Athens, Georgia, the team of board-certified interventional pain management specialists, regularly work with men and women to diagnose and treat back pain. To request your consultation, call the office today.
Your spine contains a complex network of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and vertebrae. Every day, these components undergo significant strain, assisting you in almost every activity, from standing and walking to lifting and grabbing. If you strain a muscle or experience a slipped disc, back pain is likely to follow. Fortunately, with prompt treatment, it’s also possible to manage.
The symptoms of back pain vary from person to person and depend on the underlying cause. Common signs of back pain, include:
If you suffer from back pain, you might also notice your pain gets worse during physical activity such as standing, walking, lifting, or twisting.
Back pain occurs for a variety of reasons. At Athens Spine Center, the interventional pain management experts regularly diagnose and treat back pain caused by:
The team also works with people who experience back pain following surgery. In particular, they specialize in addressing failed back surgery syndrome. Even if you’ve tried various treatments without success, it’s possible to find relief.
To diagnose back pain, your Athens Spine Center provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you questions about your symptoms. Next, your provider assesses your ability to walk, stand, sit, and lift your legs. Your provider also asks you to rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10 and to describe how it affects your mobility and day-to-day tasks.
If your provider suspects a specific ailment is the cause of your back pain, they might also order X-rays, an MRI, or a series of laboratory tests. After gathering the necessary information, your provider develops a custom treatment plan to ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Treatment for back pain depends on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause. Whenever possible, the providers at Athens Spine Center use conservative, minimally invasive treatments. Depending on your symptoms, they might recommend:
If these measures don’t provide adequate relief, your provider might recommend surgical intervention.
Don’t let back pain prevent you from spending time with your loved ones or participating in the activities you love. Book an appointment at Athens Spine Center by calling the office today.