One of the most common complaints doctors get at our Gilbert Spine Center is lower back pain. The condition can be mild or severe, lasting for a few days or months, to being a lifelong issue. The best way to treat a lower back issue is to get proper medical care and physiotherapy for back pain.
A variety of conditions can cause lower back pain. Arthritis, spinal stenosis, and muscular imbalances are the most common. Other common causes include strained muscles or ligaments, infections, and cancer.
Our lower back pain specialist will diagnose the underlying cause and work with you to minimize discomfort and get you back to normal activities as soon as possible.
The most common sources of lower back pain are as follows:
Lumbar Strain
The most common cause of lower back pain in Gilbert is a fractured lumbar disc. Lumbar strain is caused by an injury to a ligament, tendons, or muscle. Improper lifting can also cause the muscles and ligaments of the lower back to be stretched and torn, causing a lumbar strain.
A fractured lumbar disc can cause severe pain. If you have a bulging disc, your pain can also be due to lumbar strain. A CT scan or an MRI is best to diagnose a fractured sacrum. An x-ray will not show a fractured sacral disc.
Our lower back pain Chiropractor in Gilbert, AZ, will also examine your spine during the initial examination to rule out other possible causes of lower back pain.
Fibromyalgia
Another common cause of lower back pain in Gilbert, AZ, is fibromyalgia, a syndrome characterized by widespread pain and tenderness in various body parts. Fibromyalgia symptoms include overall soft tissue aches, pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. To diagnose fibromyalgia, you must have more than eleven painful sites spread across your body for a period of three months.
Visit our lower back pain Chiropractor in Gilbert, AZ, for a proper diagnosis and effective pain relief.
Radicular Pain
Radicular Pain occurs when nerves in the body are compressed or irritated. This type of pain is most commonly associated with disc herniation, which is the bulging of a disc. When this happens, the bulge presses on a nerve exiting the spinal cord.
The most common treatment for radicular pain is an epidural steroid injection, which reduces the pressure on a spinal nerve. These injections are usually administered in the lower back area. However, the patient must undergo imaging tests to rule out other conditions causing the pain. If a tumor or bone causes radicular pain, surgery may be necessary to reduce the pressure on the spine.
Doctors at our Gilbert Spine Center will recommend a surgical procedure only if there are other causes of the pain.
Accidents & Trauma
Symptoms of lower back pain may be referred from an acute injury or may be related to an existing medical condition. Some cases are associated with recent trauma, such as car accidents or falls. Regardless of the cause, our Gilbert Spine Center will rule out other issues leading to lower back pain. The most common treatment for lower back pain due to accidents or trauma is conservative care.
Sacroiliac Joint
A sacroiliac joint can be a source of lower back pain. This joint is located at the bottom of the spine and connects the pelvis and sacrum. If the pain persists, you should see our lower back pain chiropractor in Gilbert, AZ.
If the pain is severe and leads you not to walk normally, surgery is recommended to relieve the pain and make your back more stable. A surgeon may remove the affected disc or fuse two vertebrae together. After the operation, you will need to undergo physiotherapy for back pain and rehabilitation to strengthen your muscles.
Don’t worry! Our Arizona lower back pain specialists will guide you through suitable exercises and low-impact cardio.
Referred Pain
The most common type of back pain is referred pain. This pain can be caused by other conditions, such as an aneurysm. It can be caused by a sudden movement, a sudden bend, or a strain on a nearby nerve. It is recommended to see a physician to determine the proper cause. It is also important to note that the doctor may prescribe appropriate pain medication for your back pain in Gilbert, AZ.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs are the most common cause of low back pain. They occur when a vertebral disc ruptures in the spine. Herniated discs can occur anywhere in the spine but are most common in the lumbar spine, consisting of five vertebrae. The most common symptoms are numbness and pain. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult our lower back pain specialist to determine the cause as soon as possible.
Muscle Strains
Muscle strains are the most common causes of lower back pain. Acute sprains and strains occur due to an accident or overuse of the lumbar spine, or a sudden injury causes acute back pain to a muscle or ligament. It can also result from a ruptured sacrum or a torn ligament. These injuries can be debilitating and should be addressed immediately.
Other Causes
Other common causes of lower back pain are arthritic changes and cancer. These conditions can affect the alignment of the spine and cause severe pain. Other conditions may include shingles and depression.
You should visit our Gilbert Spine Center if the pain is associated with fever, loss of leg sensation or difficulty urinating.
Lower Back Pain Treatment
Patients with mechanical problems should exercise and stretch regularly, and avoid bending over. Learning proper lifting techniques will help prevent the back from becoming too stiff. While simple self-care methods can treat many common causes of low back pain in Gilbert, some people require medical intervention.
Some conditions, such as kidney stones, can be treated with physical therapy or even surgery. While many common conditions such as sprains and strains can be resolved with treatment at home, severe cases may require an MRI or CT scan. Some patients may also benefit from electromyography, bone scans, or other diagnostic tests to rule out other potential problems.
There are several ways to treat your back pain. First of all, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. You need to be aware of the underlying cause of your back pain and a solution to prevent further damage. If the cause is not a physical problem, try to identify the underlying problem. Once you have identified the reason, you can start treatment. Like many things in life, you can’t start towards the solution of your back pain until you identify the problem.
Medications are another standard treatment for lower back pain. A combination of medicines and physical therapy is used to treat the pain. Some of these drugs can also be combined with physiotherapy for back pain. Other medications may be more effective for treating the symptoms.
Professionals of Lower Back Pain in Gilbert can also prescribe the right prescription for your specific needs. If you have symptoms for more than a month, doctors will most likely recommend a different treatment. Depending on the cause, some people may experience recurring episodes of lower back pain. Since the treatment depends on the source of the pain severity, surgical procedures for low back pain may be required.
Therefore, it’s essential to visit our Gilbert Spine Center and ensure it’s not caused by something more serious. Our Arizona lower back pain specialists will recommend the best course of action.