Dallas Lower Back Pain Treatments
Have You Been Dealing With Chronic Lower Back Pain?
Pain in the lower back is something most people will experience at some point in their lives. While lower back pain usually goes away on its own, severe pain or pain that lasts longer than a week should be examined by a medical professional.
The following are symptoms of serious lower back pain that should be treated as soon as possible:
- Difficulty walking
- Weakness in the legs
- Fever
- Pain when coughing or sneezing
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Pain that started after an accident
- Pain that lasts longer than a week
You should also speak with a doctor if you have high-risk factors for cancer, as a spinal tumor could be causing the problem.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
There are many possible causes of lower back pain. The most common cause is wear and tear on the vertebrae and joints, but other underlying conditions can also be responsible.
Possible causes of lower back pain include:
- Spondylolisthesis – When a vertebra slips out of place and pinches the nerves
- Herniated disc – When a small piece of disc pushes out and pinches a nerve
- Spinal stenosis – The spinal canal narrows and exerts pressure on the nerves.
- Spinal Tumors
- Kidney stones – Stones that form in the kidneys and cause significant pain that can radiate to the back
- Osteoporosis – A condition that causes the bones to weaken, which makes it easier for the vertebrae to fracture
- Sprains and strains – a very common source of back pain that results from regular wear and tear on the spine
Treatment Options
You should start treating lower back pain with noninvasive treatments and only consider surgery if these methods prove ineffective. Exercise, physical therapy, Hot/Cold therapy, and pain medication can all be very effective for most cases of lower back pain.
When conservative treatments are ineffective, surgery might be an option depending on the cause of your lower back pain. There are numerous procedures that can be used to treat back pain. It is important to know the cause of your pain before undergoing surgery so that the surgeon can perform the appropriate procedure. At Methodist Moody Brain and Spine Institute, our spinal surgeons are trained and experienced in many minimally invasive procedures used to treat back pain.
For more information about lower back pain, or to schedule an appointment at Methodist Moody Brain and Spine Institute, call (214) 948-2076.