Back pain is one of the most common pain conditions, affecting roughly 80% of Americans at some point in their lives, according to Mayo Clinic. A condition that can occur as the result of a variety of causes, back pain typically originates from the muscles, bones, joints, nerves, and other structures of the spine.
Acute or chronic, sudden or progressive, back pain is a condition that can produce debilitating consequences. It can cause people to experience difficulties navigating everyday activities, severely limit physical activity, and is one of the leading causes of work-related absences. If you are one of the many Americans suffering from back pain, you can feel reassurance knowing that there is no better time than the present to find the relief you need to improve the quality of your life.
What causes back pain?
As the back is composed of complex structures of muscles, ligaments, tissue, discs and bones that function collectively, any problem or condition affecting these structures can cause back pain. With many possible causes of back pain, it often advised that those suffering from prolonged pain or chronic back pain visit a doctor who is qualified to identify the cause. Some of the most common causes of back pain include:
- Strained muscles or ligaments caused by lifting, abrupt, or awkward movements
- Muscle spasms
- Ruptured, bulging, and herniated discs that place pressure on nerves
- Sciatica – sharp nerve pain that travels through the back of the leg
- Arthritis, skeletal irregularities, and osteoporosis
- Everyday activities and poor posture
The ways in which back pain can be caused are numerous. People may experience back pain as the result of sudden injury and trauma or progressive damage, disease, and the natural effects of aging. Regardless of the underlying cause of your back pain, our team strives to provide a diagnosis and effective treatment.
Diagnosing Back Pain
Back pain can be classified according to the part of the back affected:
- Cervical – neck and upper back
- Thoracic – middle back
- Lumbar – lower back
- Sacral – tailbone and pelvic area
Diagnosing back pain will vary from patient to patient, but will always generally concern where the pain is coming from and how you are affected by the pain. Diagnosing such pain can be achieved by conducting thorough evaluations, which can include a review of your medical history and a comprehensive physical assessment. Should there be suspicion of a specific condition, additional diagnostic tests can be performed. In addition to imaging tests such as bone scans, X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, other diagnostic tests may be used.
Treating Back Pain
Treatments for back pain depend heavily on various factors, including whether the pain can be classified as acute (sudden pain persisting for less than three months) or chronic (pain lasting for more than three months). If home treatments, such as over-the-counter medications, do not address the pain, your medical evaluation can aid our team in charting all available treatment options. These options can range from conservative care treatment to invasive surgery.
Degenerative Disc Disease and Disc Pain
Degenerative disc disease and disc pain have been associated with chronic back pain for quite some time and are a common cause of back pain in patients of all ages. Until recently, most treatments available to patients suffering from these conditions have been interventional or surgical. With amazing innovations in medical science and technology, however, we now have newer techniques with which we can safely and effectively treat patients. We can help you explore the most appropriate treatment options for your unique disc condition.
When to See a Largo Florida Chiropractor
At Bay Area Chiropractic, we want prospective patients to know that they do not have to suffer from debilitating back pain. Although all patients and conditions are unique, Dr. Cliff Zurkan draws from a multi-disciplinary approach to tailor treatment plans specifically to the needs and situations of our patients. If you have been living with back pain that has negatively impacted your life, allow our team to provide you with a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your pain and how we can help improve the quality of your life. We maintain a comfortable atmosphere in which your questions and concerns are always promptly addressed and where the information you need is readily available. Our Bay Area Chiropractic clinic is located in Largo (conveniently located near Seminole, Clearwater, Belleair in Pinellas County Florida). If you wish to learn more about the treatments, services, and comprehensive care we provide, contact Bay Area Chiropractic today.
Contact us today at (727) 518-1999. You will be so happy you did!
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, a doctor-client relationship. If you are experiencing pain in your back, don’t put off feeling better any longer.