Some 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Fortunately, in most cases, the pain is resolved through at-home therapies that include rest, hot or cold packs and over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

The majority of the time, back pain does not require surgery. Back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute back pain, or pain that begins quickly and lasts for less than six weeks, is the most common form of back pain and is often brought on by accidents or injuries. Acute back pain usually gets better without treatment and is not normally treated with surgery. Chronic back pain is pain that lasts for more than three months and depending on the cause of the pain, may be treated either non-surgically or surgically.

Individuals suffering even mild back pain should consult a doctor if they experience:

• Numbness or tingling
• Severe pain that does not improve with rest
• Pain after a fall or an injury
• Pain plus any of these problems: trouble urinating, weakness, numbness in the legs, fever or unexplained weight loss.

If you are uncertain whether your situation requires attention by a physician, please call (800) 774-8827.

All too often we hear from individuals who have suffered, sometimes for months or years, with chronic or debilitating back pain. Sometimes their pain is the result of a trauma; other times, the cause is the result of conditions that affect the spine or the muscles and joints supporting the spine. Often people delay seeking medical treatment because they fear surgery. While it is true that some people require surgery to address their pain, in many cases, individuals can achieve total or near total pain relief with new non-surgical treatments.

Whatever your situation, The Spine Center at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center is here to help. We understand that no matter what your level of pain, you want to return to being pain-free with as little medical intervention as possible. Not only do we offer expert diagnostics to determine the exact nature of your condition, we also offer a full complement of board certified surgeons, interventional radiologists and pain management specialists to resolve your pain.

It is important to remember that back pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis, of a medical condition and may be caused by problems that include:

• Mechanical problems with the spine. Conditions include intervertebral disc degeneration, spasms, muscle tension and herniated/ruptured discs.
• Injuries such as sprains and fractures may be caused by accidents or by twisting or lifting improperly.
• Diseases such as scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis and arthritis. In addition, pregnancy, endometriosis, kidney stones and fibromyalgia can cause back pain.
• Although uncommon, infections, such as osteomyelitis or discitis, and tumors can cause back pain.

A thorough examination combined, as needed, with tests such as x-rays, MRI and CT scans can help your doctor diagnose the cause of your back pain.

Depending on the diagnosis, most back pain is treated initially with non-surgical options. These options range from hot or cold packs, exercise and medications, to traction, braces, injections and alternative treatments (such as manipulation, acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). However, if these methods fail, or if you are in constant pain that interferes with your ability to sleep or function normally during the day, then you may be a candidate for surgery.

The Spine Center at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center has a team of board certified neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to diagnose your condition and recommend the appropriate treatment options. The complete range of surgical treatment options include:

• Laminectomy/Discectomy
• Microdiscectomy
• Laser Surgery
• Spinal Fusion
• Vertebroplasty
• Kyphoplasty
• Hardware Revision