Understanding Back Pain 
 
 

Back pain seems to be a fact of life. Lower back pain affects as many as 80 percent of adults sometime during their lives. Even though back pain is common among adults, if your pain is severe or becomes more frequent, you should talk to a doctor.

 
What causes back pain?

Anything from injury to improper lifting to aging may cause back pain. Some of the common causes of back pain include: 

  • Stretched or strained muscles
  • Injuries that damage the muscles, bones or tissue in the back
  • Herniated (slipped) discs
  • Osteoporosis
  • Obesity and overweight
  • Poor posture
  • Pregnancy

How is back pain diagnosed?
 
Physicians evaluate your situation by conducting:
  • A medical history to determine your general health and symptoms
  • A physical examination to assess the stability, strength, alignment and motion of your back and any neurologic issues.
  • Diagnostic tests to evaluate the bones and soft tissue structures of your spine. Your doctor may use a number of diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your back pain. You may need an X-ray that shows problems like arthritis or bone diseases. X-rays, however, won’t reveal problems with soft tissue such as the discs or nerves. Your doctor may use a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. Other diagnostic tests may include a myelogram, which is an X-ray of the spine using a special dye.

What is your level of discomfort?

 If the pain in your neck is mild, the Spine Specialists are here to help  If the pain in your neck is moderate, the Spine Specialists are here to help  If the pain in your neck is severe, the Spine Specialists are here to help

Whether the pain in your neck or back is mild, moderate, or severe, the Spine Specialists of Doctors Medical Center are here to help. With a range of treatment options that include some of the latest in proven non-surgical techniques, our dedicated team of spine specialists have advanced skills and chemistry to make you feel comfortable and informed.

Stop hiding, masking or denying your pain. Take the first step to reclaiming your life. Call our Physician Referral Line at 1-800-553-6104 for more information or to schedule a consultation.