Lower Back Pain Condition and Treatment

Definition and Diagnosis

Lumbar Back Sprains and Strains

Most people will experience back pain during their lifetime. Some patients fear the worst, especially when pain is severe. Although back pain can be caused by fracture, disc disorder, or tumor, the most common cause is sprain or strain.

• Low Back Pain: What You Need to Know
• Low Back Pain: Getting to the Root of the Problem
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
• Back Pain - A Universal Language
• Back Pain: Myth or Fact?
• Lumbar Herniated Disc
• Degenerative Disc Disease and Low Back Pain
• Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Spine - Video
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - Overview
• Spondylolisthesis
• Lumbar Radiculopathy: Low Back and Leg Pain
• Why Pinched Nerves Cause Back and Neck Pain
• Sciatica: Symptoms and Possible Causes
• Spinal Arthritis: Symptoms
• Spondylosis

Diagnostic Steps

• Getting the Most from Your Visit to a Spine Specialist - Video
  Video interview featuring Mary Rodts, M.S., M.S.A., C.N.P., O.N.C., F.A.A.N. provides patients tips about getting the maximum benefit from a visit with a spine specialist.
• Neurology Basics: Neurological Exams
• Diagnostic Tools: X-Ray, Bone Scan, MRI, CT Scan
• Myelography, Discography and Selective Neural Blockade
• Spinal Anatomy Index

Non-Surgical Treatment

Medication and Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain

There are different types of medications used to treat lower back pain. During the acute phase, medications work to lessen pain and inflammation. A physician discusses many of the commonly prescribed drugs in detail, even considering the cost.

• Drugs Used to Treat Pain: Opioids - Narcotics
• Muscle Relaxants in The Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain
• Prescription Drugs for Back and Neck Pain
• Coping with Back Pain: What Works?
• Spinal Bracing
• Therapeutic Spinal Traction
• Back Care When Pregnant - Maintaining a Healthy Spine
• I Still Have Back Pain! Now What?
• Chiropractic Care and Back Pain: Non-invasive Treatment for Bulging, Ruptured, or Herniated Discs (Slipped Discs)
• Chiropractic Index
• Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Epidural Steroid Injections and Low Back Pain
• Nerve Blocks: Medication Injections
• Spinal Injection / Nerve Block Therapies for Back Pain
• New Technologies for Treating Sciatica and Back Pain
• How do Topical Drugs Reduce Back and Neck Pain?
• Physical Therapy Program for Low Back Pain
• Physical Therapy: TENS, Ultrasound, Heat and Cryotherapy
• Physical Therapy - Evaluation and Treatment for Back Pain

Surgical Solutions

Back Pain: When is Surgery Appropriate?

Doctor Gordon R. Bell of the Cleveland Clinic answers questions about disc herniation and spinal stenosis.

• Spine Surgery: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• Surgery: Should I or Shouldn't I?
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: The Benefits
• Anesthesia - Questions and Answers

Surgical Procedures

• Lumbar Discectomy: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
  Back pain and sciatica may result from a herniated disc. Learn what happens when a disc ruptures and what non-surgical and surgical treatments are available.
• DISC Nucleoplasty Percutaneous Discectomy
• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Information Center
• Decompressive Lumbar Laminectomy
• Lumbar Cage Fusions
• Artificial Discs: Real Reconstructive Surgery for the Low Back
• Minimally Invasive TLIF (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
• Advancements in Biotechnology and Gene Therapy

Video Presentations

• Lumbar Laminotomy and Microdiscectomy Video
  Howard An, M.D. of Rush-Presbyterian-St.Lukes Medical Center, Chicago explains the laminotomy procedure.
• Micro Endoscopic Spinal Surgery
• Video Index - Complete list of on-site video

Post-Operative Care

• What is Post-Operative Care?
  Post-operative recovery starts in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). This unit is dedicated to meet the patient’s needs thereby minimizing post-operative complications.
• Pain Control after Surgery - Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)
• Discharge Instructions for Lumbar Laminectomies and Discectomies
• Surgical Wound Care: Questions and Answers
• Discharge Instructions After Spine Surgery

Recovery

Surgery Recovery: From Hospital to Home

After any surgical procedure, the body needs times to restore damaged tissues and return to normal. The first part of recovery begins in the hospital.

• Prescription Medications and You
• Driving and Back Care
• Simple Ways to Prevent the Onset of Low Back Pain
• Cigarette Smoking and its Impact on Spinal Fusions
• Use Good Body Mechanics to Help Keep Your Spine Safe
• Posture for a Healthy Back: What is Good Posture
• Exercise to Optimize Outcome in Low Back Pain
• Exercise and Wellness Index
• Mattresses Matter: Ergonomic Guidelines
• Back Pain and Obesity
• Diet and Nutrition Index
• Preventing Back and Neck Pain