Spine Pain

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the world; it affects 80% of the population at least once during their lifetimes.  It can range from dull and mild, to sharp and severe, last for a few weeks or persist chronically for over 3 months.  Spinal injury is often the cause of back pain; the spine supports the body by providing mobility, structure, protection to the spinal cord and nerves. Infections, physical trauma and overuse, tumors, disturbance of the disc space, aging bone changes, allergies, and conditions like spinal osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and scoliosis can all adversely affect the spine, causing pain by creating pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Additional symptoms accompanying spinal pain may be muscular, including spasms, cramping and stiffness; neurological, including numbness, weakness and tingling; and radiating pain that reaches the shoulders, arms, low back, buttocks, and feet, often causing more severe conditions like loss of bladder and bowel control.  Because of its heavy toll on the patient, chronic spinal pain can cause behavioural and psychological changes such as withdrawal from activities, weakened immune system, anxiety, irritability, and depression.  There are several risk factors that can increase or cause a relapse of symptoms associated with spinal pain.  Increasing age, genetics, family and personal histories of spinal problems or surgery all contribute to higher chances of developing spinal pain.

Minimizing risk involves patients making an effort to follow lifestyle change

• Sleeping on a firm surface
• Maintaining proper posture while sitting, standing or walking
• Wearing low-heeled shoes
• Using ice or heat pads on the affected area for 20-30 minutes
• Visiting a physiotherapist regularly and implementing a recommended exercise routine
• Avoiding smoking
• Taking calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D supplements
• Avoiding job activities that require long periods of sitting, heavy lifting, bending or twisting, repetitive motions, or constant vibration
• Consuming a healthy diet and minimizing excess body weight
• Maintaining a balanced mind-state and effectively coping with stress

Patients should seek medical advice if pain persists for over 2 weeks.

For varying types of spine pain, we provide ultrasound guided diagnostic injections with local anaesthetic followed by therapeutic injections with cortisone and/or dextrose (prolotherapy), facet joint injections, medial branch nerve blocks, nerve blocks with sclerosing agent, epidural injections,  sacroiliac joint injections, ganglion impar nerve block injections, Botulinum toxin injections, chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture, active exercises, medication, psychotherapy, biofeedback, lumbar supports, TENS/MET devices, and orthotics. Please refer to the list on the left and select the type of spine pain you are seeking in order to see the specific treatments available.

Sources:

“Spine injuries and disorders.”  MedlinePlus.  Available from:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spineinjuriesanddisorders.html.

“Back pain health center.” WebMD.  Available from: http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/low-back-pain-symptoms.