Back pain affects most adults at some point in their lives. Back pain can be chronic or acute and can vary widely in its cause. It can also be a challenge to diagnose and treat. Different forms of back pain have various treatments, which may or may not work for the same condition. Each symptom requires a unique approach to treat and manage back pain effectively.
It can be frustrating to experience back pain flare-ups. Some conditions come and go only to return and intensify. You alone know your pain's intensity and limitations, therefore your involvement in medical care decisions will lead to a more successful treatment plan. Obtaining a comprehensive diagnosis from a spine specialist is essential. The alternative is allowing your condition to decline which can have serious repercussions.
Acute pain generally causes intense, sudden, but temporary symptoms, whereas chronic pain returns regularly, sometimes unpredictably, and can interfere with daily tasks. The spine is usually divided into 4 parts: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral region. The cervical spine includes the 7 vertebrae which form the neck. Identifying where your pain stems from is crucial for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Thoracic Back Pain -
Your thoracic region (upper and middle back) may become inflamed and generate pain for various reasons. Poor posture and prolonged sitting can cause muscle irritation in your thoracic region causing tightness, muscle pain, and pain in the rib cage.
Herniated discs, scoliosis, osteoporosis, and compression fractures are some of the more urgent issues that could be causing pain in the thoracic spine.
Lower Lumbar Pain -
Many factors can cause lower back pain or lower lumbar pain. Common causes of lower lumbar pain are sitting for extended periods, poor posture, and overstretching/over-exercising.
Spinal stenosis, disc herniations, arthritis, and degenerative disc disease may often cause severe lumbar pain. Receiving a thorough examination for pain that radiates down the leg or is acute is highly recommended.
Don’t let your back pain keep you from doing the activities that you enjoy. If you're experiencing persistent or severe back pain, the spine doctors of Newport Care Medical are here to guide you to the next steps and develop a treatment plan to get you on the path to feeling healthy and strong.
The Spine Institute at Newport Care Medical is a leader in comprehensive surgical and non-surgical treatment of the spine. The orthopedic spine surgeons at the Spine Institute at Newport Care located in Newport Beach, California specialize in acute and chronic neck, back, and musculoskeletal injuries.
