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Is My Lower Back Pain Serious?
By: Our Medical Team | April 27, 2023
Lower back pain affects millions of people worldwide. While most cases of lower back pain are not serious and can be treated with self-care measures, some cases may require medical attention and more advanced treatments.
At Southwest Spine & Sports in Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. Michael Wolff has a wealth of experience treating lower back pain and is committed to helping his patients find relief and improve their quality of life. In addition to serving our local community, we’ve also had the privilege of treating area VIPs over the years and believe that every patient deserves VIP-level care.
Keep reading to find out when to seek medical attention for low back pain.
What are some of the causes of lower back pain?
There are many causes and types of back pain, from acute to chronic.
Common causes of lower back pain include:
- Muscle strains occur from lifting heavy objects, sudden movements, or poor posture.
- Herniated discs occur when a spinal disc ruptures or slips out of place. (This can also cause symptoms like leg pain and numbness.)
- Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs in the spine begin to wear down over time. (This may also cause numbness and tingling.)
- Spinal stenosis happens when the spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the nerves in the spine. (This can also cause leg pain and weakness.)
- Osteoarthritis, in which the cartilage in the joints begins to wear down, causing pain and stiffness.
What are the signs that my low back pain might be serious and require medical attention?
Low back pain frequently resolves on its own after a short healing period or when you stop engaging in the actions that cause it.
However, some signs indicate that your lower back pain may be serious and require medical attention. These include:
- Pain that’s severe and doesn’t improve with rest or self-care
- Pain that’s accompanied by symptoms such as fever, chills, or difficulty urinating
- Pain that’s accompanied by weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs
- Acute pain after an injury or accident
No matter what kind of low back pain symptoms you’re experiencing, Dr. Wolff can evaluate your case, medical history, and overall health to determine the underlying cause and develop a personalized treatment plan for optimal pain relief and improved quality of life.
What advanced treatment options are available for pain management and back pain relief?
At Southwest Spine & Sports, we offer many state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive procedures to help relieve low back pain and promote healing. These include:
- Discseel® procedure: This involves injecting a fibrin-based sealant into a damaged disc to help restore function.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: This treatment involves injecting a concentrated dose of your own blood platelets into the affected area to reduce inflammation.
- Joint injections and epidural steroid injections: These treatments involve injecting medication into the affected joint or the spine to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Pulsed radiofrequency: A unique treatment involving low-level electrical currents to block pain signals in the affected area.
- Radiofrequency treatments: These involve using high-frequency electrical currents to heat and destroy damaged nerves in the affected area.
What can I do to alleviate lower back pain before my appointment?
There are also self-care measures you can use for lower back pain relief, such as:
- Maintaining good posture
- Engaging in regular exercise to strengthen core muscles
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Using proper lifting techniques during workouts
- Using ergonomic furniture
Get treatment for lower back pain in Scottsdale, AZ
If you’re experiencing lower back pain, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider who specializes in spine and sports medicine to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment options.
Dr. Michael Wolff at Southwest Spine & Sports offers an array of diagnostic and treatment options and VIP-level care for all of his patients in the Scottsdale, AZ area. Make an appointment today.
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