If you experience intermittent or chronic lower back pain in Morristown, we encourage you to contact Dr. Salari, one of the leading board-certified orthopedic surgeons in New Jersey, for personalized diagnosis and treatment.
Visit Dr. Ben Salari for Back Pain
Back pain is incredibly common, affecting people to various degrees. The term “back pain” can refer to chronic or acute pain, either persistent or intermittent, on any part of the back.
Dr. Ben Salari is a board-certified spine surgeon specializing in cutting-edge, non-surgical, or minimally invasive treatments for back pain. Schedule an appointment to see him to start your treatment!
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What Are the Types of Back Pain?
Chronic Back Pain
This type of pain is progressive — the intensity and frequency increase with time. It might not be sharp or severe initially, but the intensity will increase over several months or even years. You have chronic pain if the symptoms exist for 3+ months.
Acute Back Pain
This type of pain is severe and sudden, occurring because of a sudden injury or impact. However, once the root cause of this pain is addressed, the symptoms gradually dissipate and fade away within a few weeks.
Potential Causes of Back Pain:
- Sprains or strains
- Vertebral fractures
- Spondylosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Kyphosis
- Scoliosis
- Sciatica
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain, medically termed lumbar pain, is a prevalent discomfort affecting the lower portion of the spine. It often originates from muscles, ligaments, joints, or discs in the lumbar region. Common causes include muscle strain, ligament sprain, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative conditions that affect the structures of the lumbar spine. Lower back pain can result from various factors, such as poor posture, improper lifting techniques, a sedentary lifestyle, or underlying medical conditions.
Potential Causes of Lower Back Pain:
- Muscle strain or sprain
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylosis
- Vertebral fractures
- Kyphosis
- Scoliosis
- Sciatica
Lower Back Pain Treatment Options
Diagnosing lower back pain typically involves a comprehensive evaluation, which may include a thorough medical history, physical examination, and possibly imaging studies like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans. These diagnostic tools help identify the underlying cause of the pain, whether it’s due to muscle strain, herniated discs, spinal abnormalities, or other factors. Once the cause is determined, appropriate treatment options can be recommended.
The treatment for lower back pain often begins with conservative measures such as physical therapy, medications to manage pain and inflammation, and lifestyle modifications like improving posture and incorporating regular exercise. In cases where conservative treatments fail to provide relief or when the condition is severe, surgery may be considered as a last resort. Surgical options may include procedures such as spinal fusion or decompression surgery aimed at addressing the root cause of the pain and improving the quality of life.
Signs You Need Medical Care:
- Persistent or intermittent back pain
- Severe or sudden back pain
- Back pain caused by sudden injuries or falls
- Back pain accompanied by a fever
- Back pain accompanied by general weakness
- Back pain accompanied by a loss of sensation
- Back pain that extends down into the lower extremities
- Back pain accompanied by bladder or bowel problems
- Back pain accompanied by tingling sensations in the buttocks or genitals
Back Pain Diagnostic Options:
Blood Tests
Dr. Salari may recommend blood tests if there’s a chance your back pain is caused by an infection within the body. This is a rare situation, but some symptoms, such as back pain accompanied by a fever, can indicate underlying infections.
Nerve Studies
Dr. Salari may recommend nerve studies if he believes your back pain might be caused by spinal stenosis or nerve compression. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyelogram (EMG) can reveal the health of your nerves, thereby helping the doctor identify potential nerve injuries or disease.
Imaging Tests
Dr. Salari may recommend a combination of imaging tests, such as x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. These tests visualize the bone and skeleton (CT scans) or the soft tissues (MRI scans), such as the cartilage, ligaments, and intervertebral discs, allowing the doctor to identify the root cause of your chronic or acute lower back pain in Morristown.
Nuclear Medicine Scans
Dr. Salari may recommend a bone scan or nuclear medicine study if you have the signs or symptoms of back pain caused by intervertebral fractures or bone lesions. He may also recommend these scans for other, relatively uncommon forms of back pain. The goal is to trace and address the root cause of back pain.
Back Pain Treatment Options:
Physical Therapy
Dr. Salari recommends physical therapy for most patients with acute or chronic back pain. Depending on your specific conditions and the root cause of your back pain or lower back pain, he may recommend specific exercises to improve your mobility, flexibility, and posture. Your physical therapy may also include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or heat treatment.
Medications
Dr. Salari may recommend personalized medications to alleviate the discomfort, reduce the symptoms of back pain, treat the underlying infection (if present), and aid the healing process. You may receive a combination of topical pain medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, narcotics, or steroids.
Surgery
Dr. Salari aims to address the root cause of back pain without resorting to surgery. However, if all other techniques fail to yield results or it’s determined that you absolutely need surgery, Dr. Salari will curate a personalized, minimally invasive back surgery plan for you. He offers surgeries such as lumbar fusion and uses advanced surgical techniques to improve mobility with minimal downtime.
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FAQs about Back Pain
How do I know if my back pain is serious?
If your back pain is severe or becoming worse, lasts for more than a few weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, you should visit a doctor right away.
What is the most common cause of lower back pain?
A muscular strain or sprain brought on by overuse, moving large things, or abrupt uncomfortable motions is the most typical cause of lower back discomfort. That said, in some other cases, genetics, or daily activities can also cause lower back pain.
How can I tell what kind of back pain I have?
Your back pain may be classified based on its location, intensity, and concomitant symptoms. A medical expert such as Dr. Ben Salari should be consulted for a precise diagnosis and treatment plan.
What is inflammatory back pain?
Inflammation in the joints and spine is what causes inflammatory back pain, a kind of persistent back pain that both women and men can experience. It often comes with stiffness and decreased movement in the back.
What position should I sleep in with lower back pain?
Lower back discomfort might be relieved by sleeping on your back or side with a cushion between your legs. That said, sleeping on your stomach might strain your spine, so avoid doing so at all times.
Why Choose Dr. Salari for Lower Back Pain Treatment?
Dr. Ben Salari works with you to curate highly personalized treatment plans that address the root cause of your lower back pain in Morristown. His treatments generally consist of medications and physical therapy — surgery is only considered a last resort.
If you have the signs or symptoms of chronic or acute back pain, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Salari at our offices in Morristown, Hackettstown, Sparta, or Randolph in New Jersey.
