Back Pain Specialist

What causes back pain?

Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints, and it can be caused by many issues involving the nerves, muscles, bones and joints of the spine. Age, disease, accidents, muscle strain, repetitive motions like twisting or lifting, and even poor posture can all cause back pain.

What is spinal stenosis?

Stenosis means narrowing, and spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in your spine become narrow, causing nerves that travel through the spine to become compressed. Spinal stenosis can occur as a result of arthritis, age, trauma, heredity, spinal instability or tumors, and it can cause pain, numbness and other symptoms in your back, legs, arms, hands and feet, ranging from mild to severe.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve – the nerve that travels from your lower back down both legs – becomes irritated and inflamed, usually as a result of compression. Sciatica causes symptoms like pain, aching, numbness or weakness that extend from your lower back through your buttock and down the leg. One or both legs may be affected. Sciatica can occur for many reasons, including repetitive motion, trauma, poor posture, poor lifting techniques and prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Herniated discs are a common cause of sciatica.

How is back pain diagnosed?

Neurologists are skilled in many techniques for diagnosing pain in the upper, mid and lower back as well as the neck (cervical spine), using an array of testing and diagnostic options, including x-rays to evaluate the structure of your back and studies like electromyography (EMG) to assess muscle and nerve function to pinpoint the cause of pain. Each patient's pain is unique, and different approaches may be used depending on symptoms and other factors.