The guide to back pain treatments

Back pain is one of the most common health conditions people face: 80% of adults on the planet will have at least one episode of back pain in their lifetime. However, back pain can be caused by many factors and thus, will not always be treated the same way. For example, back pain caused by a herniated disc may require neuro-spinal decompression or in rare cases surgery, while back pain caused by muscle tension may only require a warm bath with Epsom salt and rest, while spinal displacement (misalignment) may only require some osteopathic treatment.

It is important to seek the appropriate treatment for the type of back pain you have as soon as possible to avoid further complications: many types of back pain will naturally worsen over time. As you can see, there are almost as many different types of treatments as there are types of back pain. What's more, the treatment can vary depending on the cause of the back pain. It is important that people consult a back specialist to discuss their back pain in order to determine the best treatment plan available. A back expert, like the one at TAGMED, can assess the cause of your back pain and provide you with a treatment plan that is appropriate for your condition. Here, we don't treat everyone the same: we have the skills and equipment to provide the best possible treatment for you.

I repeat: back pain is a complex problem and not all causes are treated in the same way.

Of course, getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment is essential for YOUR BACK PAIN to ensure full recovery. If you have back pain, contact TAGMED to start your journey back to health today

Your back health is in expert hands at TAGMED. Our back experts provide comprehensive assessments, customized treatments and quality care with over 30 years of experience in the field and high-tech equipment not found anywhere else in the industry.

Symptoms of back pain

The symptoms of back pain can range from mild to severe and vary depending on the cause. Common symptoms of back pain include a dull ache, tenderness or stiffness in the back, as well as muscle spasms and sharp pains. Other signs of back pain may include tingling or numbness in the back, difficulty moving certain joints or constant back pain.

• Back pain
• Stiffness
• Elancements
• Burns
• Muscle spasms
• Tingling or numbness
• Difficulty walking
• Difficult to get up from a sitting position
• Very sore back for the first 30 to 60 minutes after waking up in the morning
• Pain in the buttock
• Radiating pain in the thigh: front, side or back
• Radiant pain in the groin
• Radiant knee pain
• Calf pain
• Foot pain: top, side, bottom
• Pain after a few minutes sitting
• Pain after a few minutes of standing and leaning slightly forward (e.g. doing the dishes)

 

Attention: it is not because you have one or more of these symptoms that you necessarily only have back pain. For example, although groin pain could be caused by an irritated or compressed nerve from a herniated disc or arthritic foraminal stenosis, it could just as easily be traumatic, muscular, joint or inflammatory in nature (Ex . premature wear of the cartilage of the hip). A more serious pathology could be at the origin of your symptoms: sometimes, this groin pain symptom could be secondary to a urinary or digestive tract pathology. Now you understand the complexity of a so-called simple back pain.

 

Causes of back pain

Back pain can have many causes, ranging from minor to serious. The most common causes are muscle strains, herniated discs, arthritis and poor posture. Osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, vertebral fractures and sacroiliac joint dysfunction are other causes of back pain.

• Muscle strains
• Sprain
• Herniated disc
• Vertebral displacement (misalignment)
• Osteoarthritis
• Bad posture
• Disc bulge
• Foraminal or spinal stenosis
• Disc pinch
• Desiccation or dehydration of the disc
• Facet arthritis
• Vertebral fractures
• Dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint.

Diagnosis of back pain

Diagnosing back pain requires a comprehensive approach, using a combination of diagnostic tests and a thorough physical examination. TAGMED's back specialist is experienced in diagnosing the cause of back pain, not just the symptoms.

The back expert will begin with a thorough review of your medical history. This includes details about your back pain, such as when it started, what makes it better or worse, any other symptoms you may have, and any previous back injuries or treatments.

A trained back professional will then perform a physical examination to evaluate the muscles and joints in your back. This examination may include tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans or ultrasounds. Based on the results of these tests, the back specialist may recommend additional tests.

• History of the patient's health condition
• Medical history review
• Physical examination
• X-rays
• MRI
• SCAN or axial tomography
• Fluoroscopy

A patient's history can help identify:

• Dominant back or leg pain
• Intermittent or constant pain
• Associated aggravating movement
• Non-mechanical vs. mechanical pain
• The presence of a red flag or a medical emergency (e.g. cauda equina syndrome)

Physical examination of the patient can help determine if:

• There is a sensitivity or a muscle spasm
• There is a deformation or a mass
• There is a limitation of the amplitude of the movements
• There is a neurological deficit.

Treatment of back pain

Treatment for back pain can vary depending on the cause and severity of the pain. Treatment options generally include conservative and more advanced methods. For mild back pain, conservative treatments such as rest, heat/cold therapy, stretching and massage may be recommended. Over-the-counter medications may be used, depending on your doctor's advice.

For more severe back pain, a back specialist may recommend neurovertebral decompression, physical therapy, injections or surgery.

• Rest
• Heat or cold therapy
• Spinal decompression
• Over-the-counter medications or medications prescribed by your doctor
• Spinal Manipulations
• Injections
• Surgery

At TAGMED, our back experts have the experience, knowledge and technology to diagnose and treat back pain. Our team of world-renowned back pain management professionals can provide the right care and treatment for your back problem. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you manage your back pain.