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?
Injury, improper lifting and aging are among the causes of back pain. Other causes include:
Stretched or strained muscles
Injuries that damage the muscles, bones or tissue in the back
Herniated (slipped) disks
Osteoporosis
Obesity and being overweight
Poor posture
Pregnancy
How is back pain diagnosed?
Physicians evaluate your situation by conducting:
Exams to determine if you have stretched or strained muscles
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 tests to determine the cause of your 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 disks or nerves. Your doctor may use a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. Other tests may include a myelogram, which is an X-ray of the spine using a special dye.
What is your level of discomfort?
Whether the pain in your neck or back is mild, moderate or severe, the spine specialists at Doctors Medical Center of Modesto are here to help ease your pain and get you back to normal. With a range of treatment options that include proven non-surgical techniques, our dedicated team of spine specialists have advanced skills and chemistry to make you feel comfortable and informed.
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