Back Pain

While back pain can affect almost everyone at some point in time, ongoing or intense back pain calls for medical attention. Look no further than the primary care and pain management practice, Gorman Medical, PC, in Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek, Colorado. The trained medical professionals offer many ways to treat your condition and help you get back to your daily routine pain-free. Call the office nearest you today or book an appointment online anytime.

What causes back pain?

Back pain is a common ailment with various potential causes, including:

• Muscle strains 
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Scoliosis
• Arthritis
• Kidney stones
• Infections
• Cancer
• Inflammatory conditions (ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis)

Psychological factors like stress, anxiety, or depression can also cause back pain.

What puts you at risk for back pain?

Several factors can put you at risk for back pain, such as:

• Having poor posture, especially if you sit or stand improperly for extended periods
• Lifting heavy objects incorrectly, straining your back muscles and spine
• Being inactive
• Having weak core muscles that can’t provide adequate support
• Being obese, adding extra stress to the spine
• Having age-related degeneration, like herniated discs or arthritis
• Stress and mental health issues, leading to muscle tension and back pain

In addition, smoking can put you at risk because it reduces blood flow to your spine, impairing its ability to heal.

What are the symptoms of back pain?

Back pain can manifest in various ways, depending on its cause and severity. Common symptoms include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness
• Limited range of motion

During your evaluation, your provider learns about your medical history, your lifestyle, and a detailed account of your symptoms to determine the root cause of your back pain.

What are the different types of back pain?

Back pain can be categorized based on its duration. 

Acute back pain is usually short-term and can last from a few days to a few weeks. It’s often related to a specific injury, overuse of the back, or strain. 

You are considered to have chronic back pain if your condition occurs for three months or longer. It may be associated with an underlying medical condition or an injury that has not fully healed.

How is back pain treated?

At Gorman Medical, PC, treatment for back pain depends on its root cause, the severity of it, and how long you’ve had the condition. Common treatment approaches include:

• Rest
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Heat and cold therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Lifestyle changes
• Epidural injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Spinal facet injections
• Joint injections
• Nerve blocks

In cases of herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or structural issues, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Are you ready to say goodbye to back pain? Call today or make an appointment online using the scheduling tool for convenience.