Back Pain

Why do I have back pain?

Back pain has many, varied causes. Sometimes conditions like endometriosis and kidney infections can cause intense back pain. In the majority of cases, though, back pain is due to some form of neuromusculoskeletal damage affecting the bones, connective tissues, cartilage, spinal discs, or nerves that make up the spine.

Acute back pain might result from a trip or fall, auto accident, sports injury, or anything that overstresses the spine. Poor posture is a frequent cause of back pain, too. Natural aging processes and years of wear-and-tear account for most chronic back pain, and some people have spinal abnormalities that cause back pain.

What back pain conditions often require treatment?

Back pain conditions that Dr. Hilal sees most often at South Coast Sports and Spine Medicine include:

• Spinal subluxations (vertebral misalignments)
• Strains and sprains
• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Facet joint arthritis
• Sciatica
• Osteoporosis
• Spondylolisthesis

The most common developmental abnormality causing back pain is scoliosis, where your spine curves to the left or right instead of going down in a straight line.

What treatments can help with back pain?

For most patients of South Coast Sports and Spine Medicine, Dr. Hilal finds a combination of activity modification, manual manipulation, and physical therapy provides a very effective solution to back pain. Common approaches include:

• Ultrasound therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Stretching and strengthening
• Hot and cold therapies
• Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving creams
• Functional movement exercises
• Acupuncture

Having been trained in osteopathy, Dr. Hilal also spends time educating his patients on the importance of adjusting their lifestyle habits and diet to encourage healing.

Studies prove that these methods not only minimize the medication needed for back pain but also reduce the likelihood of requiring surgery; they get patients back to work and life in a timely fashion.

What can I do if I have persistent back pain?

If you've been following a conservative treatment program for your back pain without success, there are many other non-surgical treatments available at South Coast Sports and Spine Medicine that could help. These include:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Prolotherapy
• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Nerve blocks
• Trigger point injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Kyphoplasty (for vertebral compression fractures)
• Implantable spinal cord stimulators

Very few of Dr. Hilal's patients have to undergo these procedures, as conservative methods and lifestyle changes are effective. If you need further interventions for your back pain, Dr. Hilal uses cutting-edge approaches to optimize your outcomes.

For expert back pain relief, call South Coast Sports and Spine Medicine or book an appointment online today.