Spine Pain

At New York Neurology Associates, our team specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the spinal cord, lumbar spine, and cervical spine. If you’ve been struggling with back pain that lasts, contact us today in New York to schedule your consultation.

Topic at a Glance

  • Common causes: Injuries, congenital conditions, degenerative issues, and nerve compression (such as sciatica or spinal stenosis) can all trigger spine pain.
  • Symptoms: Pain may range from dull aches to stabbing pain that radiates into your legs, buttocks, or abdomen.
  • Treatment options: Care may include physical therapy, medication, injections, or surgical treatment in severe cases.
  • At New York Neurology Associates in New York, our team specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the spinal cord, lumbar spine, and cervical spine.

Types of Spine Pain

Spinal pain can occur anywhere along the spine. Some common symptoms of back pain may include a dull, burning, or sharp pain in your back.

There are two main types of back pain. Acute back pain can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Most people can usually carry out normal functions with this type of discomfort.

On the other hand, chronic back pain will usually last 12 weeks or more and may or may not have an identifiable medical cause.

What Are the Causes of Spine Pain?

The causes of spine pain are usually a result of some components within the back not working as they should. There could be a problem with the spine itself, the muscles surrounding the spine, the intervertebral discs, or the nerves.

Some common causes of spine pain may include the following:

  1. Injuries: The cervical and lumbar spine are most likely to suffer from injuries. Injuries can include muscle strains, ligament sprains, or muscle tension or spasms. Traumatic injuries can result in the compression of the spine, or a ruptured or herniated disc.
  2. Congenital conditions: Some conditions can develop during the development of the spine. These can include scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, or spina bifida.
  3. Degenerative problems: As you get older, the discs, joints, and bones of the spine can wear out and tear. This may include compression fractures. Osteoarthritis is also a common degenerative condition that can cause pain and inflammation.
  4. Nerve and spinal cord problems: There are several different conditions that can result in the spinal cord being pinched. These conditions could include spinal nerve compression, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis. Sciatica is another nerve problem involving the sciatic nerve. This nerve, which runs down the buttocks and legs, can also become pinched and cause pain.

Symptoms of Back Pain

You may feel back pain in a specific area or generally throughout most of your back. The pain may also radiate to other areas of your body, such as your legs, buttocks, or abdomen.

Back pain can vary in intensity, from dull to shooting pain. You may experience the following symptoms when dealing with your back pain:

  1. Increased pain when lifting or bending
  2. Worsening pain when resting, sitting, or standing
  3. Back pain that comes and goes
  4. Stiffness in your back, primarily upon waking up, that lessens with activity
  5. Pain that radiates to other parts of your body

Treatment for Back Pain

The treatment for your back pain will depend on whether you have acute or chronic back pain. Acute low back pain treatments are designed to reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief. Acute back pain can usually be treated with the aid of the following methods:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Hot or cold packs
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Gentle stretching exercises

Chronic low back pain relief may require additional steps, depending on the condition and severity of the problem. Some chronic back pain treatments may include the following:

  • Medications
  • Hot or cold compression
  • Physical therapy
  • Facet joint block injections
  • Surgery

How to Prevent Spine Pain

In addition to treating your back pain, there are also some things you can do to prevent it from occurring again in the future. The following list contains some suggestions that can help you avoid experiencing back pain on a regular basis.

  1. Maintaining a healthy weight
  2. Maintain correct posture
  3. Strengthen your back muscles
  4. Exercise regularly

​​Find Relief from Spine Pain in New York

You don’t have to live with acute low back pain, chronic back pain, or radiating pain down your legs. At NY Neurology Associates, our specialists combine advanced diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging tests with expert care to provide the right treatment for your needs. 

Whether your pain comes from a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or another condition, we’ll work with you to find lasting pain relief. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take control of your spine health.

FAQs About Spine Pain

Here are some common questions about spine pain.

Spine pain could be caused by a problem with the spine itself, the muscles surrounding the spine, the intervertebral discs, or the nerves.

You may feel back pain in a specific area or generally throughout most of your back. The pain may also radiate to other areas of your body, such as your legs, buttocks, or abdomen.

The treatment for your back pain will depend on whether you have acute or chronic back pain. Acute pain may be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, hot or cold packs, muscle relaxants, or gentle stretching exercises. Chronic pain may be treated with medications, hot or cold compression, physical therapy, facet joint block injections, or surgery.   

You can help prevent back pain by maintaining a healthy weight, maintaining correct posture, strengthening your back muscles, and exercising regularly.

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