Chronic back pain is defined as a persistent pain that affects your back for at least three months without improving or while getting progressively worse. This uncomfortable condition can seriously reduce your ability to function normally. Common everyday tasks — like getting in or out of a vehicle, carrying your groceries or even taking a bath — become burdensome or overwhelming when you’re experiencing this type of pain.
The compassionate medical team at the Southeastern Spine Institute offers the highest quality care, providing options in both surgical and non-surgical treatment. Their goal is to restore you to a pain-free lifestyle and reduce the chances of permanent disability. When you’re constantly in pain, it not only affects your physical well-being, but it also can lead to:
- Feelings of inadequacy
- Loss of independence
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
How Do I Know If I Have A Chronic Back Pain Condition?
At some point in your life, chances are that you’ll experience some type of pain or discomfort in your spinal column or the muscles associated with it. In addition to injury or overexertion, chronic back pain occurs for several common reasons, such as:
- Muscle strains caused by a sudden erratic movement or lifting objects that are bulky or too heavy
- Skeletal abnormalities that occur within your spinal column — such as bulging discs, tears or herniated discs — putting pressure on your spinal nerves
- Osteoarthritis from disappearing or dissolving the cartilage separating the bones of your spine, resulting in spinal stenosis
- Osteoporosis, which occurs when the condition of your spinal vertebrae deteriorates and becomes brittle enough to cause fractures or breaks
- Rare conditions, such as birth defects, degenerative disc disease, infections, cancer or certain kidney problems
Some types of back pain may indicate a more serious medical condition. The team at the Southeastern Spine Institute delivers state-of-the-art treatments and procedures to address severe back pain.
What Are Common Symptoms of Chronic Back Pain?
Have your back pain diagnosed and treated promptly. If you decide to wait before seeing your spine doctor, the condition may worsen and develop into a chronic situation. Symptoms of a back pain condition that requires immediate medical attention include:
- Incontinence
- Numbness or weakness in one or both of your legs
- Pain resulting from a severe trauma or vehicle accident
- Pain that worsens during the night
- Unexplained weight loss
- Elevated temperature
- Stomach pain
Constant back pain that’s not severe or debilitating is still uncomfortable. It diminishes your capacity to enjoy life. This type of chronic back pain is characterized by less severe symptoms, such as:
- Lower back pain that’s achy and dull
- Pain that shoots down your leg to your foot
- Inability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
- Loss of flexibility or mobility
What Can I Do If I Have Chronic Back Pain?
At Southeastern Spine Institute, highly trained, skilled doctors offer a wide range of non-invasive treatment plans or surgical procedures to ease your discomfort. In many cases, they fix your problem permanently. Most chronic conditions associated with back pain can be treated without surgery.
Orthopedic and neurological experts are specifically trained to offer professional diagnoses, medication-assisted treatments, rehabilitation options and surgical procedures to treat your back pain. Don’t let chronic back pain cause irreversible damage to your spine. Call the Southeastern Spine Institute today to prevent worsening symptoms and find relief.