Back Pain Treatment Tulsa, OK
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Our Services
Back Pain Relief in Tulsa, OK
Discover effective solutions for back pain at Memorial Pain Clinic, your premier destination for pain management in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We recognize the significant impact that back pain can have on your daily activities and overall quality of life. With our dedicated team of specialists and advanced treatment options, we’re committed to helping you relieve pain and regain functionality.
From innovative medical interventions to holistic approaches, we offer personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Explore our comprehensive range of back pain treatments designed to address the root cause of your discomfort and promote long-term wellness.
To schedule an appointment with our team, please call our office at 918-200-9944 today.
What Are Some Common Causes of Back Pain?
The three common causes of back pain most likely to keep you from going to work or accomplishing daily activities are arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and failed back surgery syndrome.
Arthritis
A common cause of back pain is arthritis of the joints in the vertebrae (facet joints), which usually develops as we age. The vertebral bones slowly degenerate over time and can pinch nerves or other supportive tissue to cause inflammation. Depending on the amount of degeneration and the location of arthritis, you may experience pain in your lower back, upper back, and hips, as well as radicular symptoms in the legs.
Degenerative Disc Disease
The cartilaginous discs between our vertebral bones degenerate as we age, resulting in a loss of disc space between the vertebrae. Spinal stability may decrease, and the vertebrae may react by increasing bone growth (called bone spurs). These growths may put pressure on the spinal roots causing inflammation, or the spinal cord to cause pain. Several treatments are available, depending on the location and amount of degeneration.
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS)
Some patients may experience chronic pain after surgery, aka post-laminectomy syndrome. The factors that contribute to FBSS include residual or recurrent disc herniations, scar tissue buildup, persistent compression on spinal nerves, & altered joint stability or mobility. Depending on the severity of the condition, various treatments are available.
Fibromyalgia
This is a common syndrome where the person has whole-body pain with “tender points” of pain in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but often mimics other chronic pain problems. Triggers for fibromyalgia may include emotional or physical trauma, infections, activity, weather, anxiety, or stress.
Muscle Pain
Muscle pain, aches, spasms, or tightness may result from damage to the muscles or nearby soft tissue. Pain may be perceived at a location other than the original stimulus (referred pain).
Radicular Nerve Pain
Peripheral nerves in the extremities may cause pain if they are either inflamed or compressed when they enter the spinal column. Osteoarthritis or disc herniations may cause numbness/tingling, burning, or shooting pain from the spinal column down the affected extremity.
Vertebral Fractures
Stress fractures as a result of trauma or osteoarthritis of the vertebrae may lead to vertebral fractures. Symptoms of fractures vary greatly on the severity and location of the fracture but may include: achy and dull sensation, muscle weakness or spasms, numbness/tingling, or paralysis in severe cases.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which houses the spinal cord and nerves. This narrowing can compress the spinal cord and nerve roots, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling sensations, typically in the back, buttocks, legs, or arms.
Various factors, including age-related changes such as bone spurs, herniated discs, thickened ligaments, or degenerative changes in the spine, can cause spinal stenosis. It commonly affects older adults and can result in mobility issues and decreased quality of life.
Other Causes of Back Pain
Other causes of back pain include:
- Sprains or strains from lifting heavy objects or twisting
- Sports injuries
- Auto injuries
- Poor posture
- Obesity
- Sciatica
- Skeletal irregularities
- Broken bones
Any of these, if left untreated, can cause complications and affect your overall quality of life.
What Are the Risk Factors for Back Pain?
Several factors contribute to the development of back pain, ranging from lifestyle choices to underlying health conditions. One significant risk factor is age, as the spine undergoes natural wear and tear over time, leading to conditions like degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. Additionally, poor posture, sedentary behavior, and lack of exercise can weaken the muscles supporting the spine, increasing the likelihood of experiencing back pain.
Occupational hazards also play a role, especially in jobs that involve heavy lifting, repetitive movements, or prolonged sitting or standing. Individuals in professions such as construction, nursing, or office work may be at higher risk due to the physical demands or ergonomic challenges of their work environments.
Obesity and excess weight can strain the spine and contribute to back pain by placing additional stress on the spinal structures. Smoking has been linked to back pain as well, as it can impair blood flow to the spine and inhibit the body’s ability to repair damaged tissues.
Back Pain Symptoms
Back pain can manifest in various ways, and the symptoms experienced may vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Common symptoms of back pain include the following.
- Dull or sharp pain: Back pain can range from a dull, achy sensation to a sharp, stabbing pain. The pain may be localized to a specific area or radiate to other parts of the body, such as the buttocks, hips, or legs, in cases where nerve compression is involved.
- Leg pain: Leg pain is also associated with back pain. This is especially common in patients who have conditions such as sciatica or spinal stenosis.
- Stiffness and limited mobility: Individuals with back pain may experience stiffness in the back muscles, making it difficult to bend, twist, or move freely. Reduced range of motion can affect daily activities and worsen discomfort.
- Muscle spasms: Painful muscle spasms can occur in the back, causing involuntary contractions and tightness. These spasms may result from muscle strain or underlying issues like disc herniation or spinal stenosis.
- Tingling or numbness: Nerve compression or irritation can lead to sensations of tingling, numbness, or “pins and needles” in the back or radiating down the arms or legs. These symptoms may indicate conditions like sciatica or spinal stenosis.
- Weakness: Back pain may be accompanied by weakness in the muscles of the back, legs, or buttocks. Weakness can affect balance, coordination, and the ability to perform certain movements or activities.
How Is Back Pain Diagnosed?
Diagnosing back pain typically involves a comprehensive assessment by a healthcare professional, often starting with a thorough medical history and physical examination. During the medical history, the healthcare provider will inquire about the onset, duration, and characteristics of the pain, as well as any associated symptoms, previous injuries or treatments, and relevant medical conditions. They may also ask how might the pain affect your daily activities.
The physical examination may involve assessing posture, range of motion, muscle strength, and neurological function. Specialized tests such as straight leg raise or reflex testing may be performed to evaluate nerve function and identify signs of nerve compression or irritation.
Imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans may be ordered to visualize the structures of the spine and identify any abnormalities such as fractures, degenerative changes, herniated discs, or spinal stenosis. These imaging tests can provide detailed information about the spinal anatomy and help confirm or rule out specific diagnoses.
In some cases, additional diagnostic tests may be necessary to evaluate the underlying cause of back pain further. This may include electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve function and muscle activity, bone scans to detect areas of bone abnormalities or inflammation, or blood tests to check for signs of infection or systemic conditions contributing to back pain.
How Is Back Pain Treated?
The treatment for back pain depends largely on its cause, so before the doctors at Memorial Pain create a customized treatment plan for you, they determine the underlying cause of your back pain, especially if it’s chronic. Once they determine the cause, they explain their goals and any recommended procedures that can help you minimize your painful symptoms.
The highly skilled medical team at Memorial Pain specializes in interventional pain procedures. These types of procedures are meant to treat your pain and help you manage it so you can get on with your daily life. Some of these interventional pain techniques include:
- Epidural injections
- Peripheral nerve blocks
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Selective epidural and root blocks
- Facet injections and medial branch blocks
- Kyphoplasty to treat fractures
- Implanted nerve stimulators to block pain signals
Back Pain Medicine
One common aspect of treatment is medication management. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen may help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain associated with conditions like muscle strains or arthritis. For more severe pain, muscle relaxants or prescription pain medications may be prescribed on a short-term basis. Opioids are generally avoided unless a patient is experiencing acute pain.
Physical Therapy for Back Pain
Physical therapy is often recommended as a key component of back pain management. A physical therapist can design customized exercise programs to improve flexibility, strength, and posture, as well as provide manual therapy techniques to reduce muscle tension and improve joint mobility.
Additionally, education on proper body mechanics and ergonomics can help prevent future injuries and minimize recurrent episodes of back pain. Your physical therapist may also incorporate other conservative treatment options into their regimen, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Back Pain Surgery
In cases where conservative treatments cannot lessen pain or the underlying condition is severe, back pain surgery may be considered as a last resort. Surgical options vary depending on the specific diagnosis. They may include procedures such as discectomy, laminectomy, or spinal fusion. Advances in surgical techniques, including minimally invasive approaches, have led to shorter recovery times and improved outcomes for many patients undergoing back surgery.
What Factors Determine if I Need Surgery for Chronic Back Pain?
For the most part, your doctor only considers surgery as a last resort if all other therapies don’t provide long-term relief from your back pain. In many situations, and with a combination of less invasive procedures and time, the experienced team at Memorial Pain can get you comfortably back on your feet again without having to undergo surgery.
If you have chronic pain and managing it yourself just isn’t working any longer, call or schedule an appointment online for a consultation.
How to Prevent Back Pain
Preventing back pain involves maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and good posture. Keeping a healthy weight reduces strain on the spine, while exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility, minimizing the risk of injury.
Practicing proper posture, whether sitting, standing, or lifting, helps distribute weight evenly and reduces stress on spinal structures, while ergonomic adjustments in the workplace further support spinal health.
Avoiding activities that strain the back and using proper lifting techniques are essential for prevention. Using the legs and abdominal muscles rather than the back muscles when lifting heavy objects and avoiding sudden, jerky movements can help prevent injury.
Additionally, using protective gear during physical activities or sports minimizes the risk of back injuries. Managing stress through relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation can alleviate muscle tension and reduce the likelihood of stress-related back pain.
How to Sleep with Lower Back Pain
For patients with severe pain in the lower back, the best sleeping position is often on their back with a pillow placed under the knees to help maintain the natural curve of the spine and reduce pressure on the lower back. Alternatively, sleeping on the side with a pillow between the knees can also help align the spine and alleviate discomfort.
It’s important to choose a mattress and pillows that provide adequate support and comfort, avoiding excessively soft or sagging surfaces that can exacerbate back pain. Experimenting with different sleep positions and mattress firmness levels can help individuals find the most comfortable and supportive sleep setup for their specific needs.
Contact a Back Pain Specialist at Memorial Pain Clinic Today
As you navigate your journey towards finding relief from back pain, the team at Memorial Pain Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is here to support you every step of the way. Our experienced specialists are dedicated to providing compassionate care and personalized treatment solutions tailored to your unique needs.
From innovative medical interventions to holistic approaches and comprehensive rehabilitation programs, we offer a range of effective treatments aimed at alleviating your pain and improving your quality of life. At Memorial Pain Clinic, we understand the impact that back pain can have on your daily activities and overall well-being, and we are committed to helping you regain control and find lasting relief.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a pain-free future.
