Spinal Pain

All of these are essential for our ability to move, twist, bend and walk. They enable free range-of-motion and help support our gait as we walk. And as such, they are often prone to strain and sprain. There are three main muscle types that support the spine:

• Extensors: back muscles and glutes
• Flexors: abdominal and iliopsoas muscles
• Oblique or rotators: side muscles

And in addition to these are several ligaments and tendons that bind the muscles and spine to the bone, as well as a multitude of nerves that have to potential to cause pain and discomfort if disturbed, pinched or injured.

Most spinal pain is the result of sprains and strains of the soft tissue supporting the spine, both of which can result in muscle pain and spasms. Strains result from muscle fibers being abnormally stretched or torn and sprains from unusually stretched bonds of tissue or ligaments. General symptoms include:

• Stiffness or pain in the low back that restricts range of motion and impairs normal posture
• Pain that persists for a maximum of 10-14 days
• Muscle spasms either with activity or at rest
• Notable loss of motor function such as walking on the heels or tiptoeing 

Pain that radiates into the arms, legs or chest is typically a sign of underlying nerve issues or some other injury that may require further diagnosis. 

Your physician will diagnose your spinal pain using X-Ray, MRI, CT Scan or Electromyography (nerve testing) and treatment will depend on the diagnosis and severity of the symptoms.

Non-surgical treatment involve rest, anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants and narcotics for more severe pain. Physical therapy may also be recommended depending on the severity of the injury.

From a surgical perspective, the most common procedures used to treat spinal pain are:

• Disc arthroplasty
• Discectomy
• Laminectomy
• Laminotomy
• Platelet rich plasma therapy
• Spinal cord stimulator
• Endoscopic facet fusion