
BACK PAIN CONDITIONS

	Ankylosing Spondylitis Cauda Equina Syndrome Cervical Herniated Disc Cervical Spinal Stenosis Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy Coccydynia Degenerative Disc Disease Fibromyalgia Low Back Pain Causes Lumbar Herniated Disc Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Myofascial Pain/Muscle Irritation Osteoarthritis Pirformis Syndrome Sacral Fracture Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Sciatica Spinal Fracture Spinal Tumors Spondylolithesis Upper Back Pain Causes Whiplash
INJECTIONS FOR BACK PAIN

	Atlanto-Occipital Joint Injections Cervical Steroid Injections Discogram/Discography Epidural Steroid Injections Facet Joint Injections Facet Joint Injection FAQ Hip Joint Injections Lumbar Steroid Injections Medial Branch Block Medial Branch Block FAQ Radiofrequency Neurotomy Sacroiliac Joint Injections Selective Nerve Root Block (SNRB) Steroid Injection FAQ
SURGICAL PROCEDURES

	Cervical Spinal Fusion Coccygectomy Discectomy Electrothermal Decompression Facet Rhizotomy Fusion Surgery Recovery Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty Lumbar Spinal Fusion Spinal Disc Replacement
ANATOMY OF THE BACK

	Cervical Anatomy (Neck) Thoracic Anatomy (Mid Back) Lumbar Anatomy (Low Back) Sacrum Anatomy (Tailbone)
PATIENT RESOURCES

	Chronic Back Pain Back Pain Relief Back Pain Treatment Before Your Surgery After Spine Surgery Back Surgery Questions Back Pain Definitions Back Pain Medications Back Pain Myths Depression and Chronic Back Pain Obesity and Back Pain Orthopedic Surgeons Contact Us

Back Pain Management and Spine Injury Specialists

What can I do about my back pain?

Are you are suffering from back pain, neck pain or both? Do you have a bulging disc, a herniated disc or sciatica? Have you been told you need therapy, medications, injections or surgery? Low back pain has become one of the most significant medical and socioeconomic problems in the world. Despite the overwhelming statistics on the problem, the number of chronic pain cases continues to grow.

Clinical Studies are emerging rapidly as the medical community strives to address this problem. Standardizing the evolution and care of low back pain patients is critical. There is a need for early, effective, target therapy for the treatment of disc injuries. Houston Pain Management Clinic can provide relief and possibly return you to normal lifestyle activities.

Is spine surgery right for you? When conservative methods for low back pain are not successful, and your impairment or disability gets worse, then it may be time to consider spine surgery. The most common spine operation performed is a surgical discectomy (removal of a herniated disc). Although there are many less invasive and minimally invasive procedures available the hard truth is that the standard surgical discectomy, utilizing operating telescopes (not operating microscope) and fiberoptic headlight illumination remains the most effective and cost effective treatment modality.

Who is most likely to develop low back pain?

Nearly everyone has low back pain issues sometime. Men and women are equally affected. It occurs most often between ages 30 and 50, due in part to the aging process but also as a result of sedentary life styles with too little (sometimes punctuated by too much) exercise. The risk of experiencing low back pain from disc disease or spinal degeneration increases with age. Low Back pain is the most prevalent cause of disability in people under age 45, and of the $27 billion spent on all musculoskeletal trauma $16 billion is spent in the management of low back pain, more than half of that $16 billion being spent on surgical treatment.

What causes back pain?

Back pain is a symptom that can arise from many causes. It can range from a dull, annoying ache to absolute agony. Many cases of Back pain are caused by stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Sedentary jobs and lifestyles may create a vulnerability to this type of stress or damage. Obesity, which increases both the weight on the spine and the pressure on the discs, is another factor.

Strenuous sports such as football and gymnastics can also damage the Back. What causes Low Back Pain? Low Back pain may reflect nerve or muscle irritation or bone lesions. Most low back pain follows injury or trauma to the Back, but causes of low back pain may also be due to degenerative conditions such as arthritis or disc disease, osteoporosis or other bone diseases, viral infections, irritation to joints and discs, or congenital abnormalities in the spine.