If you have had lower back pain, you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. It affects 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives. Acute back pain or short-term back pain is the most common type and lasts a few days to a few weeks. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. Back pain becomes chronic if it lasts for more than 3 months.

• Sharp or stabbing pain

• Dull or aching sensation

• Stiffness

• Pain with movement

• Difficulty moving

• Inability to stand up straight

• Inability to flex the back

• Decreased range of motion

• Poor posture

• Obesity

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Excessive force on the spine (i.e. lifting or carrying a heavy object)

• Spine arthritis/Facet syndrome

• Spinal stenosis

• Herniated/bulging discs

• Scoliosis

• Compression fractures

Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce pain and swelling, muscle relaxants to calm tight muscles, anticonvulsants to help tingling nerve pain, or opioid medications.

Physical therapy: Can provide inactive treatment such as heat therapy, massage, and TENS therapy. Active treatment may include more traditional stretching and strengthening exercises.

Self care: Heat/cold packs, resuming normal activity, and exercise

Minimally Invasive Procedures:

• Epidural Steroid Injections

• Facet injection/Medial Branch Block

• Radiofrequency Ablations

• Spinal Cord Stimulation

• MILD Procedure

• Kyphoplasty/Vetebroplasty

• InterSpinous Spacer