Back Pain

Delmarva Spine & Pain

Board Certified Interventional Pain Management located in Ocean View, DE & Berlin, MD

Back pain disrupts people’s lives at all ages, causing lost work days and restricted mobility. If back pain has become a thorn in your side, Wadid Zaky, MD, at Delmarva Spine & Pain in Berlin, Maryland, and Ocean View, Delaware is ready to help. Dr. Zaky can identify the cause of your back pain and create a treatment program personalized to your unique needs. To take advantage of his expertise in relieving back pain, call Delmarva Spine & Pain today or schedule an appointment using the online booking form.

Back Pain Q&A

Why do I have back pain?

Back pain is most often due to damage or deterioration of the structures that make up your back — muscles, ligaments, vertebrae, tendons, discs, and nerves. Conditions that commonly cause back pain include:

Arthritis
Bone spurs
Bulging or herniated discs
Degenerative disc disease
Facet joint syndrome
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Spinal fractures
Radiculopathy (nerve compression)

Back pain may be acute, which usually means an injury like a torn muscle or ruptured ligament. Or it can be chronic, where your pain fails to improve after several months.

Chronic conditions are typically due to deterioration of the cartilage, bones, and discs or the development of extra bone or thickened ligaments.

How is the cause of my back pain diagnosed?

When you visit Delmarva Spine & Pain, Dr. Zaky carries out a detailed physical exam, studies your medical history, and goes over the symptoms you're experiencing.

Diagnostic testing can confirm the underlying cause of back pain and ensure there are no other issues with your spine. Imaging studies might include X-rays, a CT scan, or MRI, while nerve conduction studies and electromyogram (EMG) can identify problems with your nerve function.

If the cause or location of your back pain still isn't clear, Dr. Zaky might perform a diagnostic injection called a nerve block. It contains a local anesthetic that he injects into your spine at specific locations. When the injection numbs your pain, it confirms the source of the problem.

What treatment might I need for back pain?

There are numerous treatments for back pain. Dr. Zaky selects those most suited to tackling the cause of your pain and creates a personalized treatment plan for you. Treatments that might feature in your plan include:

Medications
Physical therapy
Therapeutic massage
Ultrasound
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Epidural steroid injections
Facet joint injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
Trigger point injections
Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty
Radiofrequency ablation
Spinal cord stimulation

Lifestyle changes can also reap significant rewards in tackling back pain. For instance, being overweight or obese puts excessive strain on your back and worsens conditions like arthritis.

Poor nutrition from eating an unhealthy diet, smoking, and drinking alcohol to excess all limit your body's ability to heal itself and make it harder to exercise regularly.

Even stress management can make a big difference to back pain, as stress causes muscle tension, which leads to pain.

To find out how to improve your spine health and access effective solutions to back pain, call Delmarva Spine & Pain today or book an appointment online.

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