Back Pain Specialist

What is back pain? 

Back pain originates in the spine, which has three sections. Your neck is the cervical spine, upper back is the thoracic spine, and lower back is the lumbar spine. The bones (vertebrae) that form the spinal column protect the spinal cord that runs from your brain to your lower back.

Between the vertebrae are springy discs that cushion and stabilize the spine, and connective tissues and muscles hold everything in place. Back pain develops when one or more of these structures deteriorate with age or overuse or suffer some kind of trauma.

Back pain is a leading cause of short and long-term disability. At Island Interventional Pain Management, Dr. Krishnan offers the most effective solutions to back pain that can help improve your mobility problems. 

What conditions cause back pain?

Acute injuries from playing sports or as a result of falls, auto accidents, or other traumas can cause fractures, disc and muscle damage, and torn ligaments, resulting in sudden back pain. 

Many conditions result from wear-and-tear and develop more slowly, such as:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Bulging or herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis
• Sacroiliitis
• Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy)
• Facet joint arthritis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spondylosis

Another possible cause of back pain is scoliosis, where the spine curves to the left or right instead of following a straight vertical line. Some people suffer from failed back surgery syndrome, experiencing back pain after a surgery meant to resolve the problem.

Dr. Krishnan carries out a thorough examination and runs tests such as X-rays or CT/MRI scans to determine the cause of your back pain and assess the damage.

What treatments can help with back pain?

For most patients, initial treatments for back pain involve using conservative approaches like physical therapy, hot and cold compresses, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

These methods are often successful, but if your back pain persists, Dr. Krishnan offers a variety of interventions that could provide relief. These include:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Facet joint injections
• Nerve blocks
• Ketamine therapy
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Sacroiliac joint fusion
• Pain pump implantation
• Kyphoplasty
• Intracept® radiofrequency ablation
• Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)

Dr. Krishnan selects the most appropriate treatments for your condition. Some are suitable for many disorders, while others have specific uses. For example, kyphoplasty raises and stabilizes vertebral compression fractures.

To find the most effective solution to your back pain, call Island Interventional Pain Management today or book an appointment online.