Nearly everyone experiences back pain at some point in their life, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it. The fellowship-trained physicians at Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center diagnose and treat back pain at their office location in Medford, Oregon. To find relief from back pain, call or request an appointment online today.

What causes back pain?

Your spine is made up of 24 separate bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of one another with your tailbone (sacrum and coccyx) at the bottom. Rubbery discs act as cushions between each vertebra and ligaments, muscles, and nerves surround your spine and allow you to move in various directions. 

Damage to any one of these structures can lead to back pain. The providers at Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center evaluate and treat a broad range of conditions that cause back pain, including:

• Muscle or ligament strains or sprains

• Fractures

• Bulging or ruptured discs

• Arthritis of the spine

• Spinal stenosis

• Degenerative disc disease

• Spondylolisthesis

• Skeletal deformities like scoliosis

• Pinched nerves (radiculopathy), including sciatica

• Vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis

Muscle and ligament injuries are the most common causes of acute back pain, which lasts for 12 weeks or less. Back pain that persists for more than 12 weeks is considered chronic.

When should I see an orthopedic surgeon for back pain?

Most cases of back pain improve on their own with simple home treatments like heat, ice, and over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. If your back pain worsens or doesn’t go away after attempts at-home treatment, Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center can help.

You should seek medical attention right away if your back pain begins immediately after an injury, such as a car accident or a bad fall.

How is back pain diagnosed and treated?

First, your physician carefully evaluates your condition and reviews your medical history. They ask you to describe your back pain, including when it started and what makes it better or worse. They may also order diagnostic tests, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

After your physician diagnoses the cause of your back pain, they discuss your best options for treatment. Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center may suggest nonsurgical treatments for back pain, including:

• Physical therapy

• Acupuncture

• Chiropractic treatments

• Oral or injected medications

• Orthotic devices, such as a back brace

If you continue to experience back pain despite treatment, surgery may be necessary. Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center offers options for minimally invasive spine surgeries, including fusion and decompression. 

To find relief from back pain, call Southern Oregon Orthopedics & Paragon Orthopedic Center or request an appointment online today.