Back Pain

What is back pain?

Back pain is discomfort that manifests anywhere along your spine or other areas of the back. While upper back pain and lower back pain are the most prevalent, you can also experience pain in the middle (thoracic spine).

The location, severity, and features of the pain help Dr. Oliver diagnose the underlying condition.

During your initial evaluation and treatment consultation at Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists, Dr. Oliver performs a brief examination, gathers information about your health and medical history, and might use imaging tests like X-rays or MRI if she suspects certain conditions to be the cause of your back pain.

She then develops your treatment plan, which primarily includes minimally invasive procedures and easy modifications you can make to your lifestyle.

What causes back pain?

Back pain can develop slowly over time or suddenly with a particular injury. Dr. Oliver searches for signs of damage in or around the spine while reviewing any imaging tests you get and can tell a lot about the cause of the pain by the symptoms alone.

Your back pain might come from:

• Osteoarthritis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Compression fractures
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Scoliosis
• Soft tissue injuries around the spine

Back pain often comes from compressed nerve roots near the spine. If this is true for you, you might experience pain in other areas of your body, depending on where the nerves travel. You should let Dr. Oliver know of any numbness, weakness, pain, or tingling in your limbs when you visit for back pain.

What are my options for back pain treatment?

At Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists, Dr. Oliver treats your back pain with an individualized approach determined by its cause and severity. She might encourage you to make a few changes to your lifestyle, like with diet or exercise, in combination with care she provides in the office.

Procedures that can treat back pain include:

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a nerve-numbing treatment that works by using radiofrequency energy to stop painful nerve signals in your back.

Epidural injections

Epidural injections use corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation, and local anesthesia, which provides quick relief. Using imaging to guide the needle, Dr. Oliver injects the solution into the epidural space around your spinal cord and nerve roots. The results vary, but some experience long-term pain relief.

Intracept

The Intracept Procedure is a same-day procedure performed in an outpatient surgery center. Unlike some major surgeries, the Intracept Procedure is implant-free and preserves the overall structure of the spine. The Intracept Procedure involves heating the basivertebral nerve with a radiofrequency probe to stop it from sending pain signals to the brain.

To learn more about back pain and the many common causes, call Alturas Pain and Spine Specialists, or book an appointment online today.