Back Doctor | Back Specialist Dallas

Symptoms of Back Pain

The main symptom of back pain  or spinal cord is an ache or pain anywhere in the back and sometimes to the butt and legs. Some back issues can cause pain in other parts of the body depending on the nerves it has affected. The pain often goes away without any treatment. But if it occurs with any of the following, people should see their doctor:

• Weight loss
• Fever
• Inflammation or swelling on the back
• Pain down the legs
• Pain that reaches below the knees
• Recent injury
• Numbness around the anus

You should seek medical help if you experience any numbness or tingling, or even back pain that does not improve with rest after a fall or injury, numbness in your legs, weakness, fever, or unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosis of Back Pain

A back pain doctor will usually be able to diagnose back pain after asking about the symptoms and carrying out a physical examination or an imaging scan. Another test may be required if the back pain appears to result because of an injury, there may be underlying issues that need treatment, or the pain persists for a long time.

At Nortex Spine and Joint, we conduct physical examinations, and other X-ray, MRI, or CT scans to determine its cause.

• X-rays: The X-rays can show the alignment of the bowl and detect signs of arthritis or any broken bones, but they may not reveal the damage in the muscles, spinal cord, nose, or disc, which might cause the back ache.
• <MRI or CT: MRI or CT scans can reveal herniated discs or problems with tissue, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, muscles, and bones which causes back pain.
• Bone scans: bone scans can detect bone tumors or compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. The radioactive substance is injected into the vein that the tracer collects in the bone. It helps the doctor detect bone problems with the help of the particular camera, which helps find the reason behind the back pain.
• EMG: EMG or electromyography measures electric impulses produced by the nerves in response to muscles. It confirms the no compression, which may occur with a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

The doctor might also refer to a blood test to identify any kind of infection.

Treatment For Back Pain

Back pain usually resolves with rest and home remedies, but sometimes medical treatment is necessary. These treatments are:

Home Treatment

Over-the-counter pain relief medication like ibuprofen can help relieve discomfort. Applying a hot compress or ice pack to the painful area can reduce back pain. Resting from strenuous activity can help, but moving around with ease and stiffness reduces pain and prevents muscles from weakening.

Medical Treatment

If the home treatments don’t relieve the pain, the back pain doctor might recommend physical therapy, medications, or even both.

• Medication: Back pain that does not respond to over-the-counter medication may require a prescription for Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID). Codeine or hydrocodone are narcotics that are prescribed for short periods. In some cases, doctors prescribe muscle relaxants.
• Physical therapy: Applying heat, using ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and back pain exercises are some muscle release techniques that can help relieve the pain. As the pain improves, the physical therapist can include strength and flexibility exercises for the back and abdominal muscles.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): It is a popular therapy for patients with chronic back pain. The TENS machine delivers small electric pulses into the body with the help of electrodes placed on our skin. It encourages our body to produce endorphins and block pain signals. It is an excellent method to relieve your back pain.

Complementary Therapy

Complementary therapies can be done on their own or alongside conventional treatments. These therapies include:

• An osteopath who specializes in treating skeleton and muscles
• The chiropractor treats joints, muscles, and bone problems. Their focus is on the spine
• Shiatsu is also known as finger pressure therapy, and it is a type of massage where pressure is applied to the energy lines of our body.
• Acupuncture consists of inserting needles at specific points in the body and helps with releasing the pain.

Surgery

Surgery for back pain is very rare. Surgery may be an option if the patient has a herniated disk, especially if there is persistent pain and nerve compression, which can lead to muscle weakness. Some of the surgical procedures are:

• Fusion: In fusion surgery, two vertebrae are joined together with a bone graft inserted between them. The vertebrae are joined together with metal plates, screws, or cages.
• Artificial disc: an artificial disc is inserted and replaces the cushion between two vertebrae.
• Diskectomy: Diskectomy is a surgery where a portion of the disk may be removed if it is irritating or pressing against the nerve.

If you are suffering from back pain for an extended period, you should visit a doctor and get it checked. Nortex Spine and Joint can help you relieve your back pain and select the right type of back pain doctor for your situation. We have experienced practitioners who can help you live your best life without back aches.