There are many reasons people need back injury treatment in Greenville, SC. Misalignments, disease, and trauma are all things that are known to cause back pain. Your back is a strong foundation that protects your body from experiencing damage while assisting with motion.
Ligaments, bones, and muscles can all cause back pain. In some instances, a car accident may be the cause of injury or back pain while in others bad habits or a sports injury is the cause.
With so many causes, it can sometimes be difficult to identify the exact reason why you are experiencing back pain.
It’s also worth noting that there are other ways that back pain may develop with causes ranging from poor health to issues with digestion to arthritis. Considering all the things that may cause back pain, experience is vital in resolving back issues.
The team of chiropractic practitioners at Injury Medicine in Greenville is experienced and well trained in treating different back issues.
We have the equipment, skills, and professionals to diagnose your problem, identify the reason why you’re experiencing back pain, and correct the issue, allowing you to live a pain and stress-free life.
Call 864-866-PAIN now for more information about our services and how we can help with your back pain.
Symptoms of Back Injury
Back pain may range from something as simple as a muscle ache to something as serious as a stabbing, burning, or shooting sensation. Back pain may sometimes radiate down the leg or get worse when you stand, walk, twist your back, or bend.
In most cases, back pain will slowly (often within a few weeks) improve with self-care and home treatment back. Make sure you see a physician if your back pain:
- Is severe and does not improve over time or with rest
- Is accompanied by mysterious weight loss
- Persists for more than a few weeks
- Causes tingling, numbness, or weakness in one/both legs
- Spreads down both or one leg, particularly if the pain extends below your knees
In some cases, though rare, back pain may indicate an underlying medical issue. Seek immediate medical care if your pain:
- Causes bladder or bowel problems
- Is accompanied by a fever
- Was caused by a fall or a blow to the back or any other injury
Types of Back Injuries
Injuries to the back are generally categorized by the region or area of the back that’s been affected, the cause of the injury, and the type of pain experienced.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries affect the tendons, muscles, and ligaments of the back. Pressure or strain on any of your soft tissues can lead to a lump that presses against your spine, restricting mobility. Stiff skeletal muscles and pulled tendons can also affect your back’s range of motion.
Bulging Disc
Bulging disc injuries are generally gradual (meaning they occur over time) and often affect how the spinal cord functions. Discs in your spinal column are designed to support your upper body weight and serve as shock absorbers.
If one of your spinal discs loses its functionality or gets damaged, its shock-absorbing gel gets transferred to the disc’s weakest point causing the area to bulge.
This bulging generally affects the dynamics of how other parts of the spine work and may impact the tender nerves of the spine causing severe pain.
Nerve Damage
Since the spinal column houses a considerable part of the nervous system, any issues affecting the back tend to be especially painful.
Bone fragments, bulging discs, herniated discs, and other issues may result in excessive pressure being applied to one or more nerves, resulting in severe nerve pain that radiates outwards and down towards the leg.
Herniated Disc
Herniated discs generally affect a person’s lower back and are often caused by degenerated spinal discs. While spinal degeneration is common, excessive strain on your back can worsen the condition and cause greater pain and damage.
Fractures
A spinal fracture is a broken or fractured bone in the spine. These injuries are often caused by impacts, falls, etc., and often leave small fragments. You must seek medical help immediately since a spinal fracture could potentially damage the spinal cord, causing paralysis.
The seriousness of spinal fractures varies greatly depending on the type of injuries and where they lay. These injuries can either pinch spinal nerves or displace discs, causing severe discomfort.
How Will Your Doctor Diagnose Your Back Injury?
The doctors at Injury Medicine use a variety of methods and imaging tests to diagnose back injuries. Diagnosing a back problem often involves:
A Physical Exam
Your physician will start by doing a physical examination to diagnose the cause of the problem. This test also helps gauge the condition and strength of your spine, muscles, and back in general.
An X-ray
Doctors generally use X-rays to observe the positioning of spinal discs and bones around the affected areas.
An MRI
MRI tests help examine the condition of the soft tissue in your back, allowing your doctor to understand your injury and come up with a treatment plan.
A CAT Scan
Your doctor may suggest a CAT scan as it helps provide a clearer picture of the condition of your spine. Using the scan, your physician will have an easier time diagnosing the effects of a bulge, herniated disc, or bone fragments in your spine.
Types of Treatment
How your condition is treated will be determined by your condition and diagnosis. Here are common treatments that are often used to treat back injuries:
Laser Therapy
This option is often used to remove specific types of tissues that hamper the smooth functioning of your back by adding unwanted pressure.
If a specific nerve or spinal column is being pressed by a bulging or herniated disc, this option could help reduce the unwanted pressure.
Hot/Cold Therapy
This is another option that’s used to provide relief and speed up recovery. Cold therapy causes muscle and blood vessels to constrict, providing a numbing effect that soothes intense or sharp back pain.
Heat therapy, on the other hand, improves muscle flexibility while improving the mobility and functionality of your muscles, discs, and joints.
Exercise
Exercise is another option that we use to reduce stiffness in skeletal structures, muscles, and ligaments.
Ultrasound Therapy
This option is often used to improve the state and condition of the soft tissue in a patient’s back, speed up recovery, and treat pain relief.
Chiropractic Care
Our chiropractic practitioners at Injury Medicine in Greenville can relieve back pain caused by misalignment of the spine.
Contact Injury Medicine for Your Back Injury Treatment in Greenville, South Carolina
A back injury may start as a small discomfort but may end up growing into a much more serious issue if ignored. If you are experiencing unusually sharp or recurring pain in your back, make sure you see a doctor and have the issue checked.
When it comes to back pain, do not delay treatment as your functionality, wellbeing, and health all depend on it. Call our Greenville back injury treatment center and get the help you need.
Reach Injury Medicine in Greenville at 864-866-PAIN to speak to a specialist today.
