Back Pain Specialist

What is back pain?

Back pain is one of the leading reasons people seek medical care or miss work. When you have back pain, everyday activities like walking, bending over, or driving a car can be difficult or even impossible. Pain can vary greatly in intensity and frequency, ranging from a dull, constant ache to intermittent pain that completely debilitates you. 

Most of the time, back pain resolves on its own with home care like over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and epsom salt baths. If back pain has affected your quality of life for more than a few weeks, Dr. Benny can help. 

What causes back pain?

Dr. Benny treats a wide range of conditions that cause back pain at The Spine and Sports Center, including:

Strains and sprains

Muscle strains and ligament sprains are among the most common causes of back pain. These injuries typically result from repeated heavy lifting with improper form. 

Herniated discs

Discs are small, gel-filled discs of cartilage located between each bone (vertebra) in your spine. A disc is herniated when some of the gel-like material inside pushes through the outer surface. If the herniated disc presses on a nerve, it may cause pain. 

Arthritis

Like all other joints in your body, the spine is prone to osteoarthritis. This can lead to spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the space surrounding your spinal cord.

How is back pain diagnosed and treated?

First, Dr. Benny reviews your symptoms and medical history. He asks you to describe the type of back pain you have and when it started. He may also take tests, such as an X-ray. 

He may also perform diagnostic injections that numb specific structures in your spine, such as a facet joint or spinal nerve. This may reveal the source of your back pain if you experience relief after the injection. 

Then, Dr. Benny may give you a therapeutic spinal injection for lasting relief. Or he may recommend a different treatment, such as:

• Nerve block
• Epidural steroid injection
• Sacroiliac joint injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Bone marrow stem cell injections

If surgery is necessary, Dr. Benny performs minimally invasive spine procedures, such as percutaneous discectomy.

To find relief from back pain, call The Spine and Sports Center or book an appointment online today.