General Back Pain

Back pain is one of the top two reasons people go to the doctor, second only to the common cold. It's also one of the leading causes of disability and work absences. Everyone has back discomfort at some point, but when the pain becomes chronic it can be debilitating, bringing everyday life to a complete stop.

Back pain may present with:

• Muscle aches
• Shooting or stabbing pain
• Pain that radiates down the leg
• Limited back flexibility or range of motion

Back pain can come on suddenly or progressively. If you experience back pain for over 12 weeks, it’s considered chronic. This is typically caused by a severe injury, bulging or ruptured disc, or another chronic condition. Back pain that comes on suddenly and lasts fewer than six weeks is usually caused by a muscle or ligament strain.

Common causes of back pain include:

• Muscle or ligament strain due to heavy lifting or awkward sudden movement
• Bulging or ruptured disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Arthritis
• Skeletal irregularities
• Osteoporosis

Fortunately, there are treatment options that can alleviate back pain without resorting to surgery.

The back specialists at the Kelsey-Seybold Spine Center in Houston can diagnose the source of your back pain and provide nonsurgical treatment options, such as medication and physical therapy, to get you moving again.