Back Pain

Back pain affects 8 out of 10 people at some point during lifetime and is one of the most common health problems besides headache.  Symptoms may be described as sharp pain, pain that makes movement difficult, and stiffness.  Initially, pain may be so severe you fear something broke.

Back sprain or strain is a common cause of spine pain.  This means you may have over-worked or over-stretched (hyperflexion, hyperextension) a spinal muscle, tendon or ligament.  While most cases of back pain resolve without formal treatment, there are symptoms that suggest seeking a doctor’s assistance is good advice.

  • Back pain after injury, such as a fall
  • Sudden, unrelenting or disabling back pain
  • Pain that travels into the arms and/or legs
  • Leg numbness, tingling sensations, weakness
  • Buttock and/or genital area numbness and/or tingling
  • Back pain accompanied by fever
  • Bowel or bladder dysfunction

 

Common Causes of Back Pain

Besides over-use injury such as a sprain/strain, other disorders can cause back pain, such as:

  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Herniated disc
  • Spinal osteoarthritis (spondylosis)
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Vertebral compression fracture

 

Accurate Diagnosis Essential

Doctor Frazier carefully analyzes your written medical history and opens up discussion by asking you many questions about your symptoms, when symptoms started, treatments tried, hereditary disorders, existing conditions, and lifestyle.

During the physical and neurological examinations, Dr. Frazier evaluates your symptoms, movement limitations, problems with balance, and location of pain.  He reviews possible loss of arm or leg reflexes, muscle weakness, loss of feeling and/or abnormal sensations such as numbness or tingling.

Diagnostic tests may be necessary to reveal more information about your symptoms and to confirm your diagnosis.  To ensure the most accurate diagnosis, Dr. Frazier has access to a complete range of advanced diagnostic equipment including high-speed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT scan), bone densitometry (DEXA), myelography, and discography.

 

Risks and Prevention

If you are pregnant, middle-aged, have a family history of back pain, congenital (at birth) back problem, suffered a back injury, or had spine surgery your risk for back pain is greater.  While these risks cannot be controlled, there are simple steps you can take to prevent back pain from occurring or coming back.

  • Stop tobacco use (smoking)
  • Control body weight; eat well and nourish your body
  • Be moderate in alcoholic beverage consumption
  • Correct your posture; use good body mechanics to protect the spine
  • Include core exercise to strengthen your spine’s musculature
  • Avoid repetitive movements; bending, twisting, lifting, and reaching
  • Ask your doctor if your bones are weak (osteopenia, osteoporosis)

 

Back Pain Treatment

Doctor Frazier recommends a treatment plan based on an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your back pain.  Few patients with back pain will ever need to undergo spine surgery.  Most respond quickly and favorably to nonoperative interventions such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), medication to relax muscles and ease pain, physical therapy, and/or spinal injection therapies.

If the cause of your back pain requires surgery, be assured that Dr. Frazier will carefully and thoroughly explain:

  • Why he recommends spine surgery
  • How surgery may be of benefit
  • Possible risks and complications
  • When (how soon) is surgical treatment needed
  • Procedure name and type
  • How to prepare for surgery
  • Surgery aftercare and recovery

Dr. Frazier and his professional staff understand you have choices.  They have a deep commitment to patient education and want to help you make informed decisions about your health, medical care, and recovery.