Back Pain Specialist

What is back pain?

Back pain refers to any discomfort that affects your back. Your pain may depend on the cause, ranging from a dull ache to sharp shooting pain. 

In most cases, back pain is acute, lasting a few days or a few months. However, some people suffer from chronic back pain that lasts more than three months.

What causes back pain?

Back pain most often develops from a mechanical problem that involves the normal structure and function of your back or spine. You may develop back pain from an acute injury or an underlying disease.

Common causes of back pain include:

Disc herniation

Intervertebral discs separate and cushion each vertebral bone in your spine. Disc herniation occurs when the gel-like center of the disc breaks through the tough exterior. 

Disc herniation causes back pain when the damaged disc irritates or compresses the spinal cord or a spinal nerve. 

Lumbar spondylosis

Lumbar spondylosis refers to the degenerative changes that occur in your spine as you get older. These changes cause conditions like osteoarthritis or bone spurs, which may lead to back pain, stiffness, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs. 

Spinal stenosis

With spinal stenosis, the space in the spinal canal narrows, which may irritate or compress the spinal nerves, causing back pain. 

Spinal compression fractures

Spinal compression fractures occur when one or more vertebral bones weaken and collapse, losing height and strength. Spinal compression fractures are common in people with osteoporosis. 

What happens during a back pain evaluation?

When you visit Dr. Lalani for help with your back pain, he conducts a comprehensive exam to understand your concerns and needs completely. He asks detailed questions about your pain, including when it started and how it’s changed over time.

Dr. Lalani also reviews your medical history and conducts a physical and neurological exam. He may also run various diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out the underlying cause of your back pain, such as blood work, X-rays, a CT scan, an MRI, or nerve conduction studies. 

How is back pain treated?

Dr. Lalani takes an individualized approach to care. The specifics of your back pain treatment plan may depend on your diagnosis, symptoms, overall health, and personal preferences.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Pain medication
• Bracing
• Physical therapy
• Epidural steroid injections
• Radiofrequency ablation

 Dr. Lalani might suggest surgical intervention if medical and interventional pain management treatments fail to provide adequate relief from your back pain.

For a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to back pain, call the office of Irfan Lalani, MD, PA, or book an appointment online today.