SPINE

ORTHOPEDICS
FIND A PROVIDER

CAUSES OF BACK PAIN

There are many different causes and risk factors associated with acute and chronic back pain. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Sports injuries
  • Body mechanics injuries, which include twisting, turning, or other strenuous activities
  • Muscle strains, which include heavy lifting without protecting the back
  • Sleeping in awkward positions
  • Prolonged sitting or lying down
  • Body composition
  • Poor posture

BACK PAIN SYMPTOMS

  • Dull, aching, soreness, or stiffness ranging anywhere from the neck to the tailbone, which may be localized or radiate down from the back to the legs.
  • Sharp or shooting pain when performing activities that suddenly makes your pain worse.
  • Muscle tension in your neck, shoulders, or back.
  • Muscle fatigue and muscle spasms.

AT-HOME REMEDIES TO REDUCE PAIN

Cold compresses, over-the-counter pain relievers, and rest may help with most causes of minor back pain and injuries.

TIPS TO POSSIBLY PREVENT BACK PAIN

  • Stretching before and after activities for strength, flexibility, and stress relief.
  • Improving your posture while sitting or standing.
  • If you sit at a desk for an extended period, take regular breaks, and sit with both feet on the floor and your shoulders back to avoid slouching.
  • Adjusting your sleeping position and using pillows can provide support and relief.
  • Strengthening your back and abdominal muscles, using the proper form to support your back.
  • Take regular breaks and change positions when performing tasks, such as cleaning, painting, and other hobbies.
  • When lifting heavy objects, lift using your legs rather than your back, and team lift.
  • Listening to your body and not overdoing it.

01

COMMONLY TREATED BACK PAIN ISSUES

  • Minor muscle or tendon strain
  • Herniated, slipped, or bulging disc (soft tissues in discs between spinal joints can press on the nerve root)
  • Painful fractures, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, neurological disorders, or another underlying cause
  • Sciatica (pain along the sciatic nerve)

02

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

  • Increased pain during activities, such as bending, coughing, or general movements
  • Pain radiating down your legs
  • Numbness, weakness, or a tingling sensation in your back, groin, legs, or arms
  • Pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever, unexplained weight loss or gain, history of cancer or physical trauma, or regular use of prescription medications that weaken the immune system.
  • Decreased control over bladder or bowels
  • Persistent acute pain or chronic pain that does not improve with home remedies

If your pain persists for more than 24-48 hours or increases, seek medical attention.

03

PROCESS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Your doctor will complete a physical exam. The physical examination will help pinpoint the location of the pain and assess for any signs of nerve damage.

THINGS TO BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR

  1. Where does it hurt?
  2. When do you find that it hurts the most?
  3. Describe your pain. Is it acute, persistent, chronic/dull, or sharp?
  4. When did you first notice the issue? (lifting, turning, etc.)
  5. Was the onset immediate or gradual?
  6. Have you experienced this pain before?

A WALK THROUGH YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY

The doctor will also go through your medical history to understand what could be the source of the pain and discuss recent illnesses and medications.

POTENTIAL TESTS FOR PROPER DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor may also perform blood or urine tests to look for signs of infection or kidney stones. Other tests may include X-rays to look for broken bones, an MRI or CT scan for soft-tissue damage, or an electromyogram to look for nerve/muscle damage, depending on the cause of the pain.

CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT PATHWAYS

Sometimes, doctors suggest physical therapy, stretching, massage, heat, low-impact exercises to strengthen muscles, or other forms of appropriate treatment to help relieve discomfort.

In addition, chiropractic, osteopathic, acupuncture, nerve stimulation, steroid injections, intradiscal electrothermal therapy, or radiofrequency discal nucleoplasty may also be options.

SOMETIMES, SURGERY IS THE BEST OPTION

Surgery may be an option depending on the severity, situation, and if all other treatments have failed.

Ultimately, the discussion between you and your doctor will determine the best course of action to eliminate or relieve your back pain. Treatment is not one size fits all, just as causes and symptoms aren’t. Seek advice and assistance from your medical professional.

SPINE CARE PROVIDERS

– Austin –

Dr. Robert Josey

Robert Josey, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

207 West Ave E
Lampasas, TX 76550

4611 Guadalupe St,
Suite 200
Austin, TX 78751

715 Discovery Blvd,
Suite 102
Cedar Park, TX 78613

5329 Serene Hills Dr,
Suite 202
Austin, TX 78738

Dr. Michael Moghimi

Michael Moghimi, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

207 West Ave E
Lampasas, TX 76550

4611 Guadalupe St,
Suite 200
Austin, TX 78751

715 Discovery Blvd,
Suite 102
Cedar Park, TX 78613

5329 Serene Hills Dr,
Suite 202
Austin, TX 78738

Dr. Scott Welsh

Scott Welsh, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine


 
Dr. Randal Dryer

Randal Dryer, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

– Dallas/Fort Worth –

Dr. Michael Briseno

Michael Briseno, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

2535 Ira E. Woods Ave,
Suite 100
Grapevine, TX 76051

4501 Heritage race Parkway,
Suite 101
Fort Worth, TX 76244

Dr. Brian Gengler

Brian J Gengler, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

215 Old Highway 1187
Burleson, TX 76028

929 Lipscomb Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Dr. Andrew Indresano

Andrew Indresano, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

12890 Hillcrest Rd,
Suite K111
Dallas, Texas

3160 North Tarrant Pkwy,
Suite 404
Fort Worth, TX 76177

701 Secretary Drive
Arlington, TX 76015

– Houston –

Dr. Kaku Barkoh

Kaku Barkoh, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

1900 North Loop W,
Houston, TX 77018

215 Kingwood Executive Drive,
Suite 100
Kingwood, TX 77339

210 W. Park Drive,
Suite 108
Livingston, TX 77351

Dr. Imran Fayaz

Imran Fayaz, MD

Neurosurgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

500 Medical Center Blvd,
Suite 222
Conroe, TX 77304

Dr. Thomas Louis Jones

Thomas Louis Jones, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

10907 Memorial Hermann Drive,
Suite 320
Pearland, TX 77584

51 Flag Lake Drive,
Lake Jackson, TX 77566

 

Dr. Vivek Kushwaha

Vivek Kushwaha, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Dr. Roosevelt Offoha

Roosevelt Offoha, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

1650 W Baker Rd,
Suite A
Baytown, TX 77521-2206

3534 Vista Road,
Suite 2000
Pasadena, TX 77504

7700 Main Street,
Suite 400
Houston, TX 77030

Dr. Ra'Kerry Rahman

Ra'Kerry Rahman, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

7700 Main Street,
Suite 400
Houston, TX 77030

3534 Vista Rd,
Suite 2000
Pasadena, TX 77504

1650 W. Baker Rd,
Suite A
Baytown, Tx 77521

 

Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Cordova

Jose Rodriguez-Cordova, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Dr. Navin Subramanian

Navin Subramanian, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

– San Antonio –

Dr. Adam Bruggeman

Adam Bruggeman, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

3619 Paesanos Pkwy,
Suite 302
San Antonio, TX 78231

Dr. Guy Fogel

Guy Fogel, MD, FAAOS

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

2833 Babcock Rd
Suite 306,
San Antonio, TX 78229

Dr. Ralph Garza

Ralph Z Garza, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Dr. Paul Geibel

Paul Geibel, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

861 Landa Street,
New Braunfels, TX 78130

2003 Medical Parkway,
Suite A
San Marcos, TX 78666

9150 Huebner Road,
Suite 290
San San Antonio, TX 78240

Dr. Gerald Greenfield

Gerald Greenfield, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

9150 Huebner Road,
Suite 290
San Antonio, TX 78240

Dr. Joel Jenne

Joel Jenne, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Dr. Ajeya Joshi

Ajeya Joshi, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

11200 Brooklyn Ave,
San Antonio, TX 78212

3922 Wiseman Blvd,
Suite 304
San Antonio, TX 78251

Dr. Frank Kuwamura

Frank Kuwamura III, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

Remington Oaks Medical Building
525 Oak Centre,
Suite 140
San Antonio, TX 78258

8299 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78229

Dr. Kevin Richardson

Kevin Richardson, DO

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Dr. Charles Pipkin

Charles Pipkin III, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

861 Landa Street, 
New Braunfels, TX 78130

12602 Toepperwein Road,
Suite 212
San Antonio, TX 78233

251 Cully Drive,
Suite A
Kerrville, TX 78028

Dr. David Roberts

David A Roberts, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

9150 Huebner Road,
Suite 290
San Antonio, TX 78240

204 West Windcrest Street,
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Dr. James Simmons

James Simmons, DO

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

9150 Huebner Road,
Suite 290
San Antonio, TX 78240

1038 Garner Field Rd.
Uvalde, TX 78801

 

Dr. Antonio Webb

Charles Pipkin III, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine

Practice Locations

9150 Huebner Road,
Suite 290
San Antonio, TX 78240

790 Generations Drive,
Suite 405
New Braunfels, TX 78130

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