Lower Back Pain Treatment in New Jersey

Pain in the lower back can vary from mild to severe, even crippling. The pain may have an acute, sudden onset or gradually worsen. After back pain has continuously been felt for more than 3 months, it is considered a chronic condition. Many different injuries and conditions can lead to lower back pain, so it’s recommended that patients with mild to severe cases seek diagnosis and treatment.

Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) provides surgical and non-surgical treatments for various issues and conditions, including lower back pain. As New Jersey’s most comprehensive center for treating brain, spine, nerve, and musculoskeletal conditions, CNSO can be trusted to provide high-quality care. Learn more about lower back pain diagnosis and treatment at CNSO.

About Lower Back Pain

The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae, which help protect the spinal cord. The lower part of the back, called the lumbar spine, has only five vertebrae. The lower back supports the majority of the body’s weight and mobility. The lower back undergoes a lot of strain given its continuous functions. Injuries, degeneration, strenuous activity, and inactivity can lead to lower back pain.

The symptoms and severity of lower back pain will depend on the root cause. Symptoms can be caused by a muscle strain or pinched nerve and can start suddenly or gradually worsen over time. Back pain can be minor to debilitating. Symptoms can include:

• Dull or achy pain in the lower back
• Back muscles spasms
• Leg spasms
• Back tightness
• Leg tightness
• Stinging, burning pain in the lower back or legs
• Numbness or tingling in the legs (sciatica)
• Pain that is worse after prolonged sitting or standing
• Issues with mobility, standing straight, or standing up from sitting

Certain lifestyle factors can affect a person’s chances of developing lower back pain, including smoking, being overweight, and having a sedentary lifestyle.

Causes of Lower Back Pain

When a patient presents with lower back pain, the primary care doctor will refer the patient to a pain management doctor, a neurosurgeon, or an orthopedic spine surgeon. These spine specialists are intensely trained to determine the cause of back pain as well as any nerve or muscle pain. At CNSO, a back specialist will also provide the best treatment for the patient’s back pain. Common causes of lower back pain include:

Arthritis of the Spine

Arthritis of the spine is one of the most common causes of lower back pain. As people age, the cartilaginous discs between vertebral bones, the vertebral bones themselves, or their facet joints, start to wear down. Secondary to inflammation, increased swelling and surrounding tissue damage increase the friction between the bones, resulting in lower back pain.

Inflammation can affect any part of the spine, and the anatomy affected is specified by adding the suffix -itis to the end of the word. For example, sacroiliitis is the inflammation of the sacroiliac joint. Types of spine arthritis include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment will depend on what type of arthritis the patient has.

Back Injuries

Back injuries, which can vary from minor to traumatic, are another common cause of lower back pain. Minor back injuries such as strains and sprains are often caused by heavy lifting, twisting, bending over, and sometimes sports and exercise. People are just as likely to sprain or strain their backs with everyday tasks as they are with athletics or exercise. More traumatic lower back injuries like spinal cord compression, herniated discs, spondylolisthesis, stenosis, or fractures can occur from falls, work accidents, or motor vehicle accidents.

Disc Disorders

Another common reason for lower back pain is disc disorders, including a herniated or bulging disc and degenerative disc disorder. The discs in the spine are flexible parts that help absorb force when a person is walking, jumping, or making other movements. Discs can become worn down, slip out of place, or tear, leading to back pain and other symptoms.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis causes a narrowing of the spinal canal, often from age, injury, or a condition like spondylosis. As the canal narrows, it places pressure on surrounding nerve structures and leads to discomfort. Lumbar spinal stenosis refers to narrowing in the lower back and often coincides with pain.

These are common causes of lower back pain, but there are other possible causes. Certain spinal tumors, infections, and other health conditions like kidney stones can also lead to lower back pain. Patients with lasting lower back pain should consult a spine specialist, physiatrist, or interventional pain management physician to rule out other conditions and complications.

Treatments for Lower Back Pain

Whatever is causing a patient’s lower back pain, the team at CNSO works together to provide an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment possible. Treatment options for lower back pain at CNSO include:

• Physical therapy to strengthen back muscles, improve flexibility, teach proper lifting techniques, and more
• Pain management to provide relief from discomfort with techniques like epidural steroid injections, transforaminal injections, trigger point injections, nerve blocks, physiatry, and more
• Spine surgery like a discectomy or laminectomy for more severe cases of lower back pain caused by conditions like spinal stenosis or disc disorders

With an appropriate treatment, patients can experience relief from lower back pain and decrease the chances of flare-ups and chronic pain. At CNSO, the team of neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, and more collaborate to provide coordinated care for every patient. With a conservative approach to treatment, CNSO considers non-surgical options when applicable before considering surgery.

Find Lower Back Pain Relief at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics

Whether their lower back pain is caused by a strain or a medical condition, patients can trust the team at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics to provide a prompt diagnosis and customized treatment plan. CNSO has multiple office locations in northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, and Hudson counties, to make care accessible to patients throughout northern New Jersey. Contact CNSO today to learn more about lower back pain diagnosis and treatment.