Back pain is a common occurrence that most people experience at least once in their lives. Unfortunately for some people, pain can linger in the lower back, making it harder to complete everyday activities without discomfort. Understanding the causes of chronic lower back pain can help you seek the help you need to live a normal life.
Dr. Grigory Goldberg of Modern Spine Institute is an award-winning spine surgeon in New Jersey. Here, he shares the causes and signs of serious lower back pain conditions and explains when an orthopedic spine surgeon may offer the best solutions.
Common Causes of Chronic Lower Back Pain
According to the CDC, about 39% of adults in the U.S. experience back pain. People can develop pain, discomfort, and limited mobility in their backs for several reasons.
Back Injuries
You can injure your back in multiple ways. An external trauma, like a car accident or a bad fall, can damage your spine or its surrounding tissues. You could also develop back injuries over time from poor posture or repetitive movements.
Disc Injuries
Disc herniation is one of the most common causes of chronic lower back pain. A slipped or herniated disc occurs when the center of a disc sustains damage or wear on its outer layer, causing the soft inner material to squeeze through. The pressure from the herniated disc can affect nearby spinal nerves and cause pain.
Overactivity
Sometimes, the way you move can trigger lingering pain around the lumbar spine. Repetitive or excessive movement may hurt or overstretch muscles and ligaments. This type of soreness is what you may experience after an intense workout, especially if you engaged in a physical activity you’re not used to.
Pain from excessive movement usually goes away within a few days. However, repetitive stress injuries from making the same movements over and over can cause discomfort to persist.
Spinal Arthritis
Did you know that arthritis could impact your spine? This degenerative joint condition can develop over time from wear and tear, as the cartilage in the middle of spinal joints breaks down. The deterioration may lead to tissue inflammation, which contributes to chronic lower back pain.
Signs You Should See a Spine Specialist in New Jersey for Lower Back Pain
Although you could recover from some back pain naturally without medical intervention, consulting a spine surgeon in New Jersey is sometimes necessary. Understanding the causes of chronic lower back pain can help you determine when you may benefit from an appointment.
Symptoms of chronic lower back pain that warrant a visit with a specialist include:
- Pain lasting several weeks: If conservative at-home treatments don’t relieve your back pain after several weeks, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a spine expert.
- Pain with a pattern: If your discomfort worsens at specific times or when you make certain movements, your situation may be more serious than you think.
- Severe pain that affects other body parts: Moderate to severe back pain from compressed nerves can radiate into the arms or legs. This is usually the case with damaged or herniated discs.
- Weakness, tingling, or numbness: You may experience unusual sensations in your hands, legs, arms, or feet due to pinched or irritated spinal nerves.
When Surgery for Lower Back Pain May Be the Right Solution
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons reports that up to 90% of lower back pain is temporary and can improve with conservative treatment, like physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication. Resting for two or three days can also help with recovery, but resting for too long can be counterproductive. Gentle movement and physician-approved exercise can help speed up recovery and strengthen the back.
Unfortunately, back surgery may be necessary when conservative treatments fail. Patients have to be good candidates for surgery. Not all lower back pain benefits from invasive procedures.
Surgical treatment options for chronic lower back pain include spinal fusions, which are performed to treat various symptoms due to scoliosis, herniated discs, and other spine-related issues.
Other surgical treatments include:
- Disc replacement: This procedure removes damaged discs and replaces them with artificial ones.
- Laminectomy: Surgeons remove bone spurs and thickened ligaments to relieve compressed nerves.
- Discectomy: This also relieves pressure on discs by removing part of a herniated disc.
Get Help for Your Chronic Back Pain in New Jersey Today
Whether you need spinal fracture diagnosis and treatment or help managing lower back pain, we can help. Dr. Grigory Goldberg and the team at Modern Spine Institute offer minimally invasive treatments for spinal issues. At our state-of-the-art facilities, you can receive personalized care to help improve your overall quality of life.
Our doctor accepts most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available, so call Dr. Grigory Goldberg at Modern Spine Institute at (844) 373-2772 for our Clifton, NJ, office or (732) 908-8585 for our Toms River, NJ, location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the common causes of chronic lower back pain and treatment options below.
How Long Would It Take To Recover From a Mild Lower Back Strain?
A mild lower back strain could take two to four weeks to heal, but the actual timeframe depends on the patient.
Can I Treat Back Pain at Home?
At-home remedies that may help alleviate back pain include taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. Staying lightly active while avoiding heavy lifting or twisting can promote blood flow and support recovery.
Can My Lifestyle Increase My Risk of Chronic Lower Back Pain?
Lifestyle-related causes of chronic lower back pain include smoking, which restricts blood flow to spinal discs, and carrying excess weight that can put stress on the lumbar spine.
Does Visiting a Spine Surgeon in New Jersey Mean I Need To Have Surgery?
Booking an appointment with a spine surgeon in New Jersey doesn’t automatically mean your recovery will involve surgery. The surgeon will examine your back and order imaging to diagnose your condition and determine if surgery or conservative treatment is best for your situation.
