Back Pain Treatment in Texas
Comprehensive Care for Lasting Relief
Back pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek medical care. Our goal is to accurately diagnose the root cause of your pain and provide targeted, effective treatment.
Understanding Back Pain
Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes it difficult to move. It can begin suddenly due to an accident or lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time as we age.
Whether your pain is acute (lasting a few days to a few weeks) or chronic (lasting for 12 weeks or longer), proper diagnosis is critical to finding the right treatment path.
What Causes It?
Back pain often develops without a specific cause that your doctor can identify with a test or imaging study. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include:
- Muscle or ligament strain: Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement.
- Bulging or ruptured disks: Disks act as cushions between the bones in your spine. The soft material inside a disk can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
- Skeletal irregularities: A condition in which your spine curves to the side (scoliosis) also can lead to back pain.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
A thorough medical history and physical exam can usually identify any dangerous conditions or family history that may be associated with the pain.
If there is reason to suspect that a specific condition is causing your back pain, Dr. Bidiwala may order one or more tests:
- X-rays: These images show the alignment of your bones and whether you have arthritis or broken bones.
- MRI or CT scans: These scans generate images that can reveal herniated disks or problems with bones, muscles, tissue, tendons, nerves, ligaments and blood vessels.
- Electromyography (EMG): This test measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of your muscles.
Treatment Options
Conservative Care
For many patients, back pain improves with a month of home treatment, especially for people younger than 60. However, for many, the pain lasts several months.
Conservative options include:
- Physical therapy to increase flexibility, strengthen back and abdominal muscles, and improve posture.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications.
- Cortisone injections to decrease inflammation around the nerve roots.
Surgical & Minimally Invasive Options
Few people need surgery for back pain. If you have unrelenting pain associated with radiating leg pain or progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression, you might benefit from surgery.
Surgical options include:
- Microdiscectomy to remove a portion of a herniated disc.
- Laminectomy to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Spinal Fusion to stabilize the spine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Dr. Bidiwala?
- Board-Certified Neurosurgeon
- Minimally Invasive Specialist
- 20+ Years Experience
- 15-year D Magazine Best Doctor
Common Symptoms
- Muscle aching or stiffness
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Pain that radiates down your leg
- Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing or walking
- Pain that improves with reclining
When to See a Specialist
You should contact a spine specialist immediately if your back pain:
- Causes new bowel or bladder problems
- Is accompanied by a fever
- Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
- Is severe and doesn't improve with rest
- Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee
- Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
Ready to Find Relief?
Don't let spine pain control your life. Schedule a consultation to explore personalized treatment options tailored to your specific condition.