Back Pain & Sciatica

Back pain can be caused by anything from an injury to an underlying health problem. The sooner you address the cause of the problem, the better your chances of finding relief. You don’t have to live with back pain. Physicians at NeuroSpine can pinpoint the problem and develop a personalized treatment plan to address conditions.

Upper Back Pain

The most common causes of upper back pain are muscular irritation, mysofascial pain, and joint dysfunction. Injury can be related to strain, poor posture over time, a herniated disc or degenerated disc, but injuries such as that are rare. However, upper back pain is a complaint that is heard regularly by people who work at computers most of the day. In those cases, upper back pain occurs with neck pain and/or shoulder pain.

Muscular irritation and upper back pain are due to either deconditioning/lack of strength, or overuse injuries (such as repetitive motions). Muscle strains, sports injuries, auto accidents or other injuries can all result in pain from muscular irritations. All these kinds of injuries are treatable with manual treatments, such as physical therapy, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, massage therapy, or acupuncture. However, in cases where the pain is deeper, the pain may be an active trigger point, which can be treated with injections or pain medications.

Lower Back Pain

There can be a number of different causes of lower back pain and making a diagnosis can be very complex because there are many muscles, ligaments, bones, and internal organs that can be affected and cause pain. In women, gynecological issues could also present themselves as a lower back pain issue. However, most causes of lower back pain in adults 30-60, is muscle strain. By lifting a heavy object, twisting or making a sudden move, the muscles or ligaments can stretch or tear. Even microscopic tears can cause pain.

For adults over 60, pain is typically related to degeneration of the joints and discs in the spine. Two of the most common causes of lower back pain in older adults are spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis.

Chronic Sciatica Pain – Dale’s Story of Pain Relief

Sciatica

Sciatica is defined as lower back pain that travels down to the buttock, the leg and even to the foot. It is caused by a nerve root in the lower spine becoming compressed, which causes pain and numbness, which travels along the sciatic nerve, which affects the buttocks, legs and feet.

It is an ongoing pain, not an intermittent pain the lasts a few days or weeks, then subsides.
It is a pain that is worse in the leg and foot, than it is in the back itself.
It’s typically felt on just one side of the body.
Pain is usually worse after long periods of time standing still or sitting, but it is somewhat relieved when walking
May be accompanied by weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot.

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Surgery – Jesi’s Amazing Story of Healing

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The Sacroiliac Joint is located in the pelvis. It links the iliac bone (the pelvis) to the sacrum (the lowest part of the spine above the tailbone). The purpose of this joint is to help the body transfer weight and other forces between your upper body and your legs. Pain emanating from the lower back could be caused by Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction.

Pain from the SI Joint can start in the lower back and travel through the lower buttocks and upper legs
Often times patients will say it hurts to stand and it hurts to sit