There are a number of conditions that can result in chronic pain, many of which relate to age-related changes in the spine. These conditions include:

Arthritis:
Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes the joints of the body, including those in the back, to break down or become inflamed. This allows the bones to rub together, limiting mobility and causing pain that worsens over time.

Herniated disc:
The discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine can become damaged or herniated, forcing the soft-gel center outward. A herniated disc can press on the spinal nerves and cause chronic pain.

Sciatica:
Sciatica is a condition where, quite often, a herniated disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, the large nerve that travels from your lower back down into your buttocks and legs.

Radiculopathy:
Radiculopathy is a painful condition, also known as a pinched nerve, which results in shooting pain during sudden movements.

You can also develop chronic back pain if you have structural issues in your spine, such as scoliosis, a curvature in the spine. If you lose bone density due to osteoporosis, you may develop chronic back pain due to compression fractures in your vertebrae.

Based on the results of diagnostic testing, Dr. Ali at Complete Pain & Spine Institute creates a treatment plan that focuses on alleviating your pain and improving your range of motion. Initially, if pain relievers and anti-inflammatories aren’t enough to address your pain from arthritis or degenerative joint damage, Dr. Ali may recommend injections of anti-inflammatory and anesthetic medicines directly into the affected joint.

You may also benefit from radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive treatment that uses heat to destroy certain nerves in the back and disrupt pain signals from traveling to your brain.

Spinal cord stimulators are also available. This implantable device allows you to send electrical pulses of energy into your spinal nerves to control chronic back pain.

If you’re looking for non-surgical solutions for persistent back pain, schedule a consultation at Complete Pain & Spine Institute today using the online booking feature or by calling the office.