Lower back pain is very common, affecting more than 31 million Americans1. Some people who suffer from low back pain are able to recover without intervention, but there are others who experience recurring pain in their lower back. For people in Dallas with frequent lower back pain, everyday tasks can become difficult or impossible. At DFW Laser Spine Institute, we specialize in helping people with persistent back pain. Our spine and pain management experts are experienced in diagnosing the cause of back pain and we offer a range of treatment options that can help people find freedom from debilitating pain.
Lower Back Pain Symptoms
Pain in the lower back can present in a variety of ways. Common low back pain symptoms include:
- Dull, aching pain in the lower back
- Muscle spasms that result in recurring lower back pain
- Pain in the legs, feet, or buttocks that originates in the lower back
- Sciatica, which causes a sharp pain or tingling sensation from the thighs to the feet
- Lower back pain that worsens with sitting
- Lower back pain that worsens with movement
Why Does My Lower Back Hurt?
The lower back plays an important role in body movement and its central location connects it to other major body parts. The lower back is essential to mobility because it supports a large percentage of our body weight, and is integral to walking, twisting, bending, and lifting motions. The lower spine, also referred to as the lumbar spine, involves a complex network of nerves, discs, and ligaments, and it can be susceptible to injury – especially if the muscles around the spine are not strong enough to protect it. Lower back pain may be the result of an injury or a degenerative illness. If your lower back pain is persistent or is preventing you from performing day-to-day tasks, a consultation with an experienced physician can help you determine the cause of your back pain.
Potential Causes of Lower Back Pain
Situational or short-term lower back pain is often caused by a muscle or ligament strain. Other common causes of acute back pain include sports injuries and pregnancy. Potential causes of lower back pain include:
- Spinal Stenosis
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Herniated Disc
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Facet Joint Disease
Lower Back Pain Diagnosis
The system of muscles, bones, joints, and nerves in the human back can make diagnosing the precise cause of pain a complex endeavor. Our specialists utilize experience and advanced technology to uncover the root cause of back pain. Diagnostic procedures that are available at DFW Laser Spine Institute include:
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Pain Mapping
- Discography
- Nerve Blocks
Treatment for Lower Back Pain
There are a variety of minimally invasive procedures that can provide pain relief for patients suffering pain in the lower back. At DFW Laser Spine Institute, our specialists will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan based on your diagnosis and which treatments may be right for you.
Non-Surgical Procedures to Treat Lower Back Pain
At DFW Laser Spine Institute we offer a range of non-surgical treatments, including:
- Injections, such as Platelet Rich Plasma Injection (PRP), steroid injections, and stem cell therapy injections
- Nerve Blocks, such as a Lumbar Epidural Nerve Block
- Lumbar Radiofrequency Neurotomy
- Rhizotomy, also known as radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Surgery for Lower Back Pain
While medical and non-surgical treatments can mask the pain of lower back conditions, surgical procedures can correct the actual cause of pain. Our experienced back surgeons offer several surgical options that may provide relief for patients with lower back pain, especially patients whose pain does not respond to injections or medications. Learn more about laser spine surgery.
1 – Jensen M, Brant-Zawadzki M, Obuchowski N, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Lumbar Spine in People Without Back Pain. N Engl J Med 1994; 331: 69-116.