Back Pain Q & A
What is back pain?
Back pain isn’t a disorder in and of itself, but rather a symptom of several different medical problems. Back pain can take on many different forms, such as:
- A shooting, stabbing pain that travels down the leg and into the foot
- Dull and aching pain in the lower back
- A diminished range of motion and an inability to fully flex the back
- Difficulty standing up straight without pain
- Pain that improves when reclining
Back pain typically doesn’t last very long, but in some instances, it can persist for days or weeks. Back pain is considered chronic if it continues for more than three months.
Call Prism Pain Management today to rid yourself of back pain! (720) 307-7246.
What causes back pain?
At its core, back pain is usually the result of a problem that is affecting the back’s ligaments, muscles, nerves, or vertebrae, or is the result of a problem with nearby organs, like the kidneys. Some of the common causes of back pain include:
In rare instances, back pain can also be caused by:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Cancer or a malignant tumor in the spine
- Infection
- Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Fungal or bacterial infection of the spine, such as Staphylococcus, E.coli, or tuberculosis
- Kidney infection or kidney stones
How is back pain treated?
Most back pain goes away on its own within a few weeks and can be treated with home remedies or over-the-counter pain medications. But occasionally, back pain can become chronic or can signal a serious medical problem. See your primary care doctor or Prism Pain Management immediately if your back pain:
- Has lasted longer than a few weeks
- Doesn’t improve with rest
- Is causing numbness, tingling, or weakness in your leg(s)
- Is spreading down your leg(s), especially if it reaches past your knee
- Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
