Back Pain Specialist in Marietta, GA

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably complained of back pain at some point in your life. In fact, back pain is a common occurrence among people of all ages, levels of fitness and occupations.

Back pain can be treated with a variety of methods depending on its location (upper, middle or low back pain) and the severity of your symptoms.

At Non-Surgical Orthopaedics, located in Marietta and Carrollton, our experienced physicians specialize in treating back pain and its causes with several minimally invasive pain management treatments. We’re committed to developing custom pain management plans tailored to each patient’s unique symptoms and condition.

What Causes Back Pain?

Generally, back pain can result from strain, structural issues, poor posture or a medical condition.

Strenuous exercise, lifting something heavy or lifting objects improperly can cause a painful muscle or ligament strain in the back. Although painful, back strains are typically acute and respond well to at-home treatments like rest and over-the-counter pain medications.

Structural problems of different parts of the back, such as discs, bones and ligaments, can result in back pain. Some of the most common structural problems include herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, arthritis and osteoporosis. Many of these conditions are chronic and result from gradual wear and tear of the spine, which makes them common among older adults.

People who sit for prolonged periods of time may develop back pain from poor posture. Hunching over a computer screen or straining the neck forward while driving can result in increased back and shoulder pain that may worsen over time.

Certain medical conditions can manifest as back pain. For example, a cancerous or benign tumor on the spine may press on a nerve, resulting in back pain. Certain infections, such as kidney and bladder infections may also cause back pain.

When to See a Doctor

If your back pain doesn’t improve with time, rest or at-home remedies, you should see a doctor. Additionally, if your pain continues for over three months and severely impacts the quality of your life, the condition may be chronic. Your doctor will likely want to pinpoint the cause of your pain and prescribe a customized treatment plan.

To accurately diagnose the cause of your back pain, your healthcare provider will likely perform a variety of tests, including:

•         A thorough physical examination
•         Imaging tests like X-Rays and MRI scans to reveal problems with the bones, nerves and ligaments
•         Blood tests to determine if the back pain is caused by an infection
•         An electromyography (EMG) test, which may reveal a nerve or muscle disorder

How Is Back Pain Treated?

Depending on the diagnosis and severity of your symptoms, your medical provider may prescribe one or more of the following treatments:

•         At-home remedies: Over-the-counter pain relief medication, rest from work and strenuous activities and applying heat or ice to the affected area.
•         Medication: If the pain doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain killers, your doctor may prescribe opioid medications like codeine or hydrocodone. Opioids may lead to physical dependence and should only be prescribed for a short period of time.
•         Physical therapy: Gentle exercise and stretching done under the supervision of a physical therapist can increase your body’s strength and flexibility, help improve your posture and prevent back pain from reoccurring.
•         Pain management injections: If other treatments are ineffective, pain management injections like cortisone shots, lumbar block injections or Botox injections can reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area. The injections can be effective for several weeks or even months and can be repeated if needed.
•         Surgery: Patients with chronic and severe back pain may find relief in the form of surgery. However, surgery for back pain is rare and should be avoided until non-invasive options have been exhausted.

Exploring Non-Surgical Pain Treatment Options

At Non-Surgical Orthopaedics, our goal is to bring relief to patients suffering from chronic back pain and help them avoid the risk of postsurgical complications and the many potential side effects of pain medications, including opioid addiction.

We combine a variety of pain management injections and regenerative therapies with other non-invasive treatment solutions, including epidural injections and regenerative therapy, to treat your pain and the underlying cause of your condition.

To learn more about our non-surgical treatments for back pain, speak to one of our experienced orthopaedists by calling 770-421-1420.