Lower Back Pain Treatment Specialist in Houston, TX

Lower back pain is a very common ailment that affects most people at some point or another in their lives. It can be caused by any number of factors, simply by being in the middle of the body and involved in almost every type of physical activity a person can perform. Factors that can contribute to a person experiencing back pain can include age, genetics, arthritis, injury, strain, overuse, and herniated discs.

The severity and treatment of lower back pain will vary depending on the cause of the pain, with some causes being treatable and others requiring ongoing pain management. Injury, strain, overuse, and a herniated disc can typically be treated with painkillers, rest, ice, and time. Mild cases can clear up on their own, with or without the help of painkillers in a few days, whereas severe cases should be assessed by a doctor or pain specialist for the proper treatment.

Lower back pain caused by genetics, arthritis, and age will usually be chronic that will have to be managed with regular therapy and medication and be overseen by a pain specialist, to control the pain and allow the sufferer to lead a normal life and return to their daily activities.

Like any other type of pain, lower back pain can range in severity from a mild feeling of discomfort to crippling pain that interferes with daily life. The pain can be felt as a dull ache across the lower back or can be a sharp stabbing or shooting pain centered in one area that can radiate out to your limbs.

People experiencing back pain can also experience a limited range of motion and decreased flexibility through their torso, inability to sit or stand up straight and pain through the legs. Lower back pain can feel manageable at rest but get significantly worse when standing up, walking, lifting, bending, or twisting. In most cases, lower back pain can be treated at home with over-the-counter painkillers, rest and ice, and can take up to a few weeks to heal. If that doesn’t help after a couple of weeks and the pain gets worse, you should see your doctor or one of the pain specialists at InovoSpine. They can perform a physical exam and any additional tests to determine the source of the pain and prescribe any additional treatments or therapies needed to alleviate the pain.

Everyone’s pain is different and will respond to treatments for pain differently. Within a person, pain in different areas of the body will respond differently to a treatment. The treatment for lower back pain will be dependent on the cause of the pain, as well as how severe it is and what, if anything, makes it better or worse. In most cases, lower back pain can be treated at home, with self-care techniques, and resolve itself within a few days to a few weeks.

Self-care techniques that have been shown to be effective in treating lower back pain include rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications. If your pain gets worse or starts spreading, get checked by your doctor and they will ensure that the issue isn’t more serious than initially thought. They can prescribe you medication, if needed, or recommend alternative treatment methods such as massage therapy, physical therapy, or acupuncture to help you find relief from your pain.

Back pain is often not serious and is a case of injury, strain, or overuse from improper lifting, moving the wrong way, or any number of movements that your back doesn’t agree with. As our back holds a large load of our physical movement, back pain is a very common complaint among patients of all ages. While most cases are mild and can be treated successfully at home, some cases do require medical attention.

For cases that don’t clear up within a couple of weeks, get worse with time or the pain starts spreading, it is best to get checked out by your doctor or one of the team members at InovoSpine. Severe pain that affects your ability to move and function, or chronic pain that lasts for 3 months or more, should get checked out as soon as possible. If the pain is accompanied by a fever, causes bladder or bowel problems, or is the result of a fall, blow to the back, or other injuries, you should seek immediate medical care.

At InovoSpine, our team specializes in all issues of back pain and can help you get back to feeling like yourself. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are located at 1140 Business Center Dr, Suite 110, Houston TX 77043. We serve patients from Houston TX, Hedwig Village TX, Meadows Place TX, Missouri City TX, Hunters Creek Village TX, Spring Valley Village TX, and surrounding areas.