Spine Pain

Spine Pain Q & A

What is spine pain?

An extremely common condition, spine pain typically affects your lower back and neck. In medical terms, these areas are known as the lumbar and cervical regions of your spine. Lumbar muscle sprains and strains are the single most common source of lower back pain.

You might also feel spine pain in your thoracic spine. This is the area along your abdomen and upper back. However, your thoracic spine area is a lot more rigid, making it less prone to strains and sprains than your lower back and neck.

What are the symptoms of spine pain?

The most common symptom is pain that’s focused in the tissues around your spinal cord. Here are other symptoms of spine pain to watch for:

• Muscle spasms
• Stiffness in your lower back
• Stiffness that prevents you from maintaining normal posture
• Persistent pain lasting 10-14 days
• Notable loss of motor function, such as the inability to tiptoe or walk on your heels

How is spine pain diagnosed?

If you’ve suffered with spine pain for two weeks without getting better, the doctors at The Spine Center of Baton Rouge will run tests to diagnose your condition. Tests help to rule out serious underlying causes, such as an undetected spinal disc injury.

The doctors at The Spine Center of Baton Rouge may order one or more of the following tests:

X-ray

This in-office test reveals the structural causes of spine pain, including spinal malalignment, fractures, tumors, and infections.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

With an MRI, your doctors can detect problems in your spinal cord, nerves, and surrounding areas.

CT scan

This test produces detailed images of your bones, nerves, and tissues to better accurately diagnose the cause of your pain.

How is spine pain treated?

Cutting down on vigorous activities and resting can help you bounce back from spine pain. Without treatment, most spine pain goes away on its own after a few weeks. For example, research found more than 90 percent of back-pain sufferers completely recovered within one month.

However, it’s a good idea to seek medical care for spine pain lasting more than a few weeks. Your doctor at The Spine Center of Baton Rouge may suggest beginning with a conservative treatment regime, beginning with anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants to see if your condition improves.

If you’re tired of ongoing spine pain, take a step for your well-being and good health by calling or scheduling an online consultation today with The Spine Center of Baton Rouge.