Back Pain

Texas Pain & Orthopedics

Pain Management, Sports Medicine and Regenerative Orthopedics serving Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Taylor, Cedar Park, and Central Texas.

Back pain can interfere with your work, disrupt your sleep, and prevent you from enjoying life. If you’re tired of ineffective treatments, Ike Malik, MD, of Texas Pain & Orthopedics in Pflugerville, Texas, can help. Dr. Malik is a board-certified pain management physician, and Texas Pain & Orthopedics offers advanced interventions for patients experiencing back pain. No matter how long-standing or severe your back pain may be, Texas Pain & Orthopedics can provide relief. To learn more, call the office today or book an appointment online.

512-738-8811

Back Pain Q & A

What Causes Back Pain?

Acute back pain is typically caused by injuries affecting the vertebrae, connective tissues, discs, or nerves in your spine. Common triggers include traumas such as falls, auto accidents, and sports injuries. In many cases, awkward movements or improper lifting techniques can also lead to acute back pain. Sometimes, pain appears without an obvious cause, which can be especially frustrating.

Chronic back pain can develop from poorly healed injuries or repetitive movements that strain the spine over time. The most common cause of chronic back pain is spinal deterioration that occurs with age. These degenerative changes affect the spine and joints and may include:

Spinal stenosis
Facet joint arthritis
Degenerative disc disease
Spondylosis
Spondylolisthesis
Vertebral compression fractures

Herniated and bulging discs are frequent sources of back pain, often resulting from trauma or degenerative disc disease. Another possibility is a spinal abnormality, such as scoliosis, where the spine curves to the left or right. This condition is common, particularly as people age.

What Are the Symptoms of Back Pain?

The primary symptom of back pain is the discomfort caused by your injury or underlying condition. Pain may be sharp and stabbing or a deep, persistent ache. It can come and go or be constant.

Back pain can also affect your nerves. Radiculopathy—nerve compression—can cause symptoms including:

Tingling or “pins-and-needles” sensations
Burning sensations
Weakness
Loss of function
Numbness

Sciatica is a type of lumbar (lower spine) radiculopathy. It occurs when the large sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower spine into the pelvis and down each leg, becomes compressed. Sciatica can produce shooting or electric-shock-like pain, often worse in the hip, buttock, or leg than in the back.

Dr. Malik diagnoses the cause of your back pain through a physical exam and specialized tests. These may include X-rays, MRI or CT scans, electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction studies (NCS).

How Is Back Pain Treated?

Based on your diagnosis and the severity of your back pain, Dr. Malik creates a personalized treatment plan. Potential treatments include:

Physical therapy
Activity modification and rest
Narcotic and non-narcotic medications
Epidural steroid injections
Peripheral joint injections
Nerve blocks
Botox for migraines or spasticity of central origin
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty (for vertebral compression fractures)
Radiofrequency ablation
Spinal cord stimulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
Stem cell therapy

Most patients recover from back pain using the least invasive treatments. Dr. Malik also has extensive experience using advanced, cutting-edge therapies for severe or persistent back problems.

To find out how Dr. Malik can help relieve your back pain, call Texas Pain & Orthopedics today or book an appointment online.

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