Back Pain Specialist

What causes back pain?

Some of the most common underlying causes of back pain are:

• Arthritis
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Nerve entrapment
• Disc herniation
• Degenerative disc disease
• Osteoporosis
• Muscle strain

Although back pain can affect anyone, your risk increases if you’re over 30, aren’t physically active, or struggle with your weight. You can’t always prevent back pain related to disease, but you do have the ability to manage it effectively and live comfortably.

What are the effects of back pain?

Back pain is the most pervasive type of chronic pain today. The pain can be very difficult, and it may have wide-reaching effects that might even feel worse than the pain itself. 

For example, back pain causes more than 100 million lost days of work annually. Along with work problems, back pain can lead to familial and social issues like missed family events and gatherings. 

Ultimately, back pain can feel very isolating because it may stop you from doing the things you need to do and the things you enjoy. Many people with back pain experience frustration, anger, and depression if they don’t find a pain relief plan that allows them to live their life.

What are today’s best treatments for back pain?

At LiveWell Pain Management, Dr. Taha uses the most advanced, innovative, and evidence-based solutions for back pain management. 

Narcotic medication has only short-term effects, which makes it a poor match for chronic back pain. Additionally, narcotics are highly habit-forming and can have very dangerous effects in higher doses. 

For both of these reasons, Dr. Taha prescribes non-narcotic pain management plans that focus on long-term relief without causing harmful effects in your body. Usually, your treatment includes both lifestyle management and minimally invasive pain relief procedures. 

Lifestyle management

As a functional medicine specialist, Dr. Taha uses a natural lifestyle management approach. She can prescribe a customized nutrition plan, supplements, physical therapy, home exercise, medical Acupuncture, and other natural means of reducing your pain triggers and living more comfortably. 

Minimally invasive procedures

Minimally invasive procedures can be highly beneficial for long-term pain relief. Depending on the cause of your back pain, Dr. Taha may recommend physical therapy, Acupuncture, interventional spine procedures, which include epidurals, radiofrequency ablation, Sacroiliac Joint injections, coccyx injections, and more. Dr. Taha also performs more advanced procedures such as the Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD®) procedure, Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), and Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulation. 

Interventional Spine Procedures

Interventional Spine Procedures are injections performed usually in a fluoroscopic surgical suite. These treatments can include injections such as epidural steroid injections, facet or medial branch blocks, and radiofrequency ablation. Sometimes these injections are performed in the office or at a surgical center or hospital. They aim to help treat pain from disc-related issues or arthritis. They can be incredibly effective against treating severe acute pain and also chronic pain.

Spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation uses an implantable device to deliver low-level currents of energy into your spinal nerves to treat chronic low back pain, sciatica, and persistent pain after surgery. The energy disrupts pain signals that travel to your brain, and you can control the amount of energy that goes into your nerves using an external remote.

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation

DRG stimulation is similar to spinal cord stimulation, except it directs the low currents of energy into the dorsal root area of your spinal cord. This treatment can address chronic pain in areas like your hand, chest, knee, and abdomen that aren’t treatable with spinal cord stimulation. It is especially useful in treating a condition called CRPS or Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. 

With a customized combination of back pain relief treatments, you can feel healthy and whole again sooner than you think. 

Call LiveWell Pain Management or book an appointment online today.