WHAT IS BACK PAIN?

Back pain is a very common problem and most people will experience it during their lifetime. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain that can make it hard to move. The majority of acute back pain, typically from a strain, will resolve in a few days to a few weeks.

There are many different causes of back pain including some with serious implications which require urgent attention, especially if associated with other symptoms such as fever or pain in other areas. For cases of back pain that persists for more than a few weeks, it is important to have a healthcare professional evaluate it further.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BACK PAIN

COMMON CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF BACK PAIN

The symptoms of back pain will vary depending on the cause. The most common conditions are listed here:

Sprain/Strain:

An injury to a muscle and/or tendon is called a “strain” or more commonly referred to as a “pulled back muscle.” An injury to a ligament is called a “sprain.” These are the most common causes of low back pain and may occur due to trauma, over-activity, lifting heavy objects, faulty posture, and sudden movement.

Symptoms include:

• Muscle cramping and/or spasms
• Back pain that is worse with certain movements
• Decreased function and/or range of motion
• Back pain that may start 24-48 hours after the initial injury

Radiculopathy:

This is also referred to as “radiculitis” or is commonly called a “pinched nerve” in the back. It occurs when the nerves or nerve roots become compressed due to a bone spur, degenerative disc disease and disc herniation, and/or inflammation of tissues in the vicinity.

Sciatica is term used to describe a specific compression of the large sciatic nerve that runs from the back through the buttock and down the back of the leg to the foot. The nerve can be compressed at the level of the spine as well as the buttock region by tight muscles especially the piriformis muscle.

The disc exists between the spinal bones (vertebrae) and functions as a shock absorber and allows for back mobility. The disc consists of a tough outer layer and an inner jelly like layer. A disc herniation can occur when there is wear and tear of the tough outer layer of the disc allowing the inner jelly like substance to slip or herniate through the outer layer potentially irritating spinal nerves or the spinal cord.

Symptoms may include:

• Local back pain
• Muscle spasm
• Pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness that can radiate down one or both legs and occasionally to the feet

Spondylosis:

Spondylosis is also known as degenerative or osteoarthritis of the spine and can affect any region of the spine. This condition generally occurs due to age and wear and tear of the spine over time and is typically characterized by bony overgrowths and degenerating intervertebral discs (degenerative disc disease).

Symptoms may include:

• Majority of the time, no symptoms are present
• Local back pain
• Muscle spasm
• Back pain after sitting or standing for extended periods of time
• Symptoms of radiculopathy may be present

Spinal Stenosis:

Spinal stenosis is a term used to describe a narrowing of the spinal canal with a resultant compression of the spinal cord and spinal nerves. This most commonly occurs in the lower lumbar spine, but can involve any level of the spine. Spinal stenosis can have many causes including a congenital narrowing of the spinal canal, but it most often results from a degenerative process that results in herniated discs, bone spurs, and/or thickened ligaments.

Symptoms may include include:

• Back pain
• Leg pain and cramping that worsens with walking or standing for prolonged periods and improves with rest and leaning forward
• Numbness or tingling in the buttocks or legs
• Weakness in the legs or foot
• In rare instances loss of bowel or bladder control may also occur which is a sign of a rare but serious medical condition called cauda equina syndrome that requires immediate medical attention

Inflammatory Arthritis:

Several inflammatory arthritis conditions can be associated back pain such as: ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, arthritis related to inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms may include:

• Local back pain
• Prolonged stiffness in the back that worsens with rest and improves with activity

Scoliosis:

Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral or sideways curvature of the spine. It is a very common problem with many causes including degenerative scoliosis which is the most common form in adults. Idiopathic scoliosis, which is the most common cause of scoliosis in children, has no specific identifiable cause.

Symptoms may include:

• Local back pain
• Muscle spasm
• Physical deformity such as an uneven waist, one shoulder being higher than the other or one shoulder blade sticking out more than the other, and uneven hips
• In severe cases, it can cause heart and lung problems making it more difficult to breath and harder for the heart to pump

Compression Fracture:

Compression fractures are most often related to osteoporosis or brittle bone disease which is discussed in detail elsewhere, but may also be due to trauma. When the vertebrae or bones of the spine become weak from osteoporosis they can collapse. This is referred to as a compression fracture of the spine.

Symptoms may include:

• Local back pain
• Loss of height
• Poor posture ie “hunchback” shape

DIAGNOSIS OF BACK PAIN

At Greater Chicago Specialty Physicians, with both a medical doctor and a chiropractor available, you can be confident that an accurate diagnosis will be made. We collect information about your symptoms, perform a detailed physical exam, and may order appropriate imaging and lab work if necessary to determine the exact cause.

TREATMENT OF BACK PAIN

At GCSP, we offer multiple approaches for the management of back pain in our facilities.

Traditional Medical Approach:

The traditional medical approach involves medications, bracing, and therapy for the treatment of back pain. At GCSP we use only high quality medical grade back bracing systems that are covered by most insurance plans. Our medical doctors may also recommend steroid or trigger point injections or refer you for evaluation by a spinal surgeon if necessary.

Alternative Approach:

Chiropractic care, acupuncture, clinical massage, and Nu-V3 stimulation therapy are examples of our alternative treatment options.

Chiropractic Approach: Our chiropractic division uses an evidence based multi-modal treatment approach for the treatment of back pain. This consists of a unique combination of spinal manipulation, clinical massage, electrical stimulation, various stretching techniques and reconditioning exercises to strengthen your back and associated muscles. Work ergonomics and tips to improve posture, so that this condition does not occur again, may be discussed.

Unlike conventional Chiropractors who limit their practice to spinal adjustments and/or massage and some physical therapy companies that provide cookie-cutter treatment plans, our chiropractors create individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s unique needs and combine multiple modalities of care to approach the patients as a whole. Our goal is to provide long term benefits and prevent the pain from occurring again and again by addressing the root cause of the pain rather than just treating the symptom.

Treatment plans typically have 3 phases:

Phase 1: Decrease acute pain

Phase 2: Address root cause of pain, restore function, and increase strength

Phase 3: Return to all activities of daily living as tolerated and provide home exercise & ergonomic advice to prevent re-occurrence

The frequency of care and the number of visits it will take to treat will vary based on the type and severity of back pain. Depending on the condition, our providers can dedicate up to 1 full hour of one-on-one care to patients.

Acupuncture:

Click here for section on acupuncture

Clinical massage:

Click here for section on massage

Nu-V3 Stimulation Therapy:

Click here for section on Nu-V3

Combination approach:

Our goal at GCSP is to offer multiple options under one roof so you can find the care you want and need. Many patients take comfort that their alternative care can be done under the supervision of a medical doctor and that they can seek another opinion or treatment option at our facility. By choosing your care at GCSP, we can take a team approach to ensure you are receiving the best options for you.

LET US HELP YOU “GET PAIN FREE, GET MOVING, AND GET WELL”

The physicians at GCSP will do a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your back pain. They have helped countless numbers of patients improve their pain, increase function and improve their quality of life.

Schedule an appointment today to see how we can help you “Get Pain Free, Get Moving, and Get Well.”