Chronic Low Back Pain In Saginaw, MI
Low back pain is a primary cause of disability in the US and globally. It’s estimated that approximately 80 percent of all Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their life. Low back pain may vary from mild to debilitating.
Acute low back pain usually resolves within days or weeks. However, if the pain lasts beyond three months, it’s classified as chronic low back pain.
While low back pain can affect individuals of any age, it’s more prevalent in patients between the ages of 30 and 50, usually because of the effects of the aging process that make one more susceptible to back pain. As one grows older, the fluid between the spinal vertebrae decreases, causing the vertebral discs to become more vulnerable to irritation. In addition, a decline in muscle tone further puts you at an elevated risk of suffering an injury.
If you’re experiencing chronic low back pain in Saginaw, MI, please contact MI Health Clinic today to undergo a thorough evaluation and receive personalized treatment.
Causes of Low Back Pain
Common causes of low back pain include:
• Sprains and strains due to overuse or excessive activity
• Herniated disc or a slipped or ruptured disc
• Sciatica usually occurs when a slipped disc presses on the sciatic nerve, leading to intense pain that spreads to the legs.
• Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal column can result in excessive pressure on the nerve roots, leading to low back pain.
• Inflammation of the joints in the low back can also lead to chronic low back pain.
Other conditions that may trigger low back pain include fibromyalgia, spondylitis, and spondylosis. In addition, individuals with health conditions such as kidney disease, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, cancer, and uterine fibroids experience an elevated risk of suffering low back pain.
When to See a Doctor
We recommend seeing our doctors in Saginaw, MI, for help with low back pain if it persists beyond several weeks. On your visit, our doctors evaluate your medical history and perform a physical examination to get to the root cause of your problem.
The doctors will likely assess your range of motion and reflexes to certain sensations and recommend further testing if necessary. X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, and ultrasounds are sometimes required.
Treatment for chronic low back pain near you includes medications, medical appliances, and physical therapy. Medications may consist of muscle relaxants, steroids to reduce inflammation, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
We tailor our low back pain treatments to suit the unique needs of every patient and will only prescribe an intervention if you’re comfortable with it.
Call MI Health Clinic today to experience compassionate care and long-term relief from chronic low back pain.