Back Pain Specialist

What is back pain?

Almost everyone experiences back pain at some point in their life. The pain you feel may be dull and achy or sharp and severe.

For most people, back pain is acute, lasting no more than three weeks. However, some people develop chronic back pain, which lasts three or more months. 

If you have back pain that makes it hard for you to manage your daily responsibilities, the team at Johnston Pain Management, P.A., can help.

What causes back pain?

You can develop back pain from an acute injury, overuse, or underlying medical condition. Common causes of back pain include:

• Strains and sprains
• Herniated disc
• Fractures
• Radiculopathy — pinched nerve
• Ankylosing spondylitis — arthritis in the spine 
• Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
• Spinal deformity such as scoliosis
• Sciatica

Back pain may also develop from an underlying illness such as cancer or an infection.

What happens during a back pain evaluation?

You can expect a patient-centered exam when you visit Johnston Pain Management, P.A., for a back pain evaluation. Taking a holistic approach to care, the team wants to know how your back affects all aspects of your life to create the most effective treatment plan.

Your pain management physician asks detailed questions about your back pain, including when it started and the underlying cause, the type and location of your pain, and the activities that make it worse.

They review the types of treatments you’ve tried to ease your back pain and perform a physical exam. The team also runs diagnostic tests to assess the structure of your spine, which may include X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI.

The team may also perform a discography — a diagnostic spine X-ray — to determine if abnormal discs are the cause of your back pain.

How is back pain treated?

The Johnston Pain Management, P.A., team customizes your back pain treatment plan based on the underlying cause and severity of your pain. Treatment may include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
• Prescription pain medication
• Low-dose antidepressants
• Epidural injections
• Trigger point injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty — for fractured vertebrae.
• Spinal cord stimulator
• Intrathecal pain pump

The team works closely with you, developing a plan that maximizes your pain relief and improves your quality of life.

For help managing your back pain, call Johnston Pain Management, P.A., or schedule an appointment online today.