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Back Pain Q&A

What is back pain?

Back pain is an uncomfortable feeling in any part of your back or spine. It may develop due to an injury, disease, or age-related wear. At Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine, the exceptional physicians offer comprehensive surgical care for the full spectrum of disorders associated with back pain to ease bothersome discomfort.

What does back pain feel like?

Back pain could present as:

  • Stabbing discomfort
  • Shooting pain
  • Tingling
  • Numbness
  • Burning
  • Weakness
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Radiating discomfort 
  • Reduced mobility
  • Soreness
  • Tenderness
  • Dull aching

Your symptoms might come and go or be long-lasting and feel mild, moderate, or severe. If you have back pain that doesn’t go away on its own or causes severe discomfort, see your Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine provider for an evaluation. 

What can cause back pain?

The common causes of back pain include:

  • Muscle strains or sprains
  • Fractures
  • Osteoporosis 
  • Scoliosis
  • Sciatica
  • Disc herniation
  • Tumors 
  • Spinal injury
  • Radiculopathy
  • Spinal stenosis (narrowed spinal canal)
  • Pinched nerve
  • Synovial cyst
  • Arthritis 
  • Sacroiliac joint problems

You might injure your back falling down, playing sports, being in a car accident, or undergoing other forms of physical trauma. The Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine providers work to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain to offer long-lasting relief. 

How does my provider diagnose the cause of back pain?

To determine the source of back pain, your specialist reviews your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. They examine your back and may order nerve testing, X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan, or another imaging procedure before personalizing your treatment plan.

How is back pain treated?

Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine offers the following treatments for back pain relief:

  • Laminectomy: enlarging the spinal canal
  • Spinal fusion: fusing parts of your spine
  • Disc replacement: replacing a spinal disc with an artificial disc
  • Synovial cyst resection: removing a fluid-filled sac from your spine
  • Spine revision surgery: surgically repairing spinal irregularities 
  • Spinal cord stimulation: using electrical impulses to reduce pain signals
  • Injections: injecting medicine into targeted tissues to reduce inflammation and pain
  • Radiofrequency ablation: using radiofrequency energy to reduce pain signals

The skilled spine surgeons use the most modern, minimally invasive, or robotic techniques when appropriate to ensure exceptional results and long-lasting pain relief. They’re highly trained in spine surgery and use the most advanced technologies available. 

To schedule a back pain evaluation at Alabama Neurological Surgery & Spine, call the office or book an appointment online today.