Back pain is a common condition that affects millions of people and can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life. Whether it is a sudden injury or a chronic condition, spine pain can be debilitating. At Northeast Georgia Physicians Group our team of Interventional Pain Medicine specialists and Neurosurgeons work together to provide expert, personalized care for a wide range of spinal conditions.
What are the common causes of spine pain?
Back and spine pain can result from various underlying conditions, including:
- Arthritis in the spine: Inflammation and degeneration of the joints in the spine.
- Cervical radiculopathy: A pinched nerve in the neck causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Disc herniation: A damaged or slipped disc pressing on spinal nerves.
- Facet arthropathy: Wear and tear affecting the facet joints of the spine.
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction: Pain caused by improper movement of the SI joint.
- Spondylolisthesis: A condition where a vertebra slips out of place.
How is spine pain diagnosed?
Diagnosing the cause of back pain is the first step to effective treatment. At NGPG our spine specialists utilize advanced diagnostic techniques such as:
- Physical exams to assess pain levels and mobility.
- Imaging studies, including X-rays, MRIs and CT scans.
- Nerve conduction studies to evaluate nerve function.
- Diagnostic injections to pinpoint the source of pain.
Our comprehensive spine care approach
At NGPG we take a team-based approach to spine care, offering:
- Access to multiple specialists in one coordinated system.
- Interventional Pain Medicine Physicians: Experts in pain management and non-surgical treatments.
- Neurosurgeons: Specialists in advanced surgical procedures when needed.
- Physical Therapists: Help restore movement, strength and function.
How is spine pain treated?
Our team offers a wide range of non-surgical and surgical techniques to treat a wide range of spine issues.
Non-surgical treatments:
- Epidural steroid injections: Reduce inflammation and alleviate pain in the spinal nerves.
- Facet joint injections: Relieve pain originating from the facet joints.
- Nerve blocks: Targeted pain relief for specific nerves.
- Radiofrequency neurolysis: Uses heat to disrupt pain signals.
- Spinal cord stimulation: A device implanted to send electrical impulses and manage chronic pain.
- Sympathetic nerve blocks: Used for certain chronic pain conditions affecting the spine.
Surgical treatments, performed by NGPG Neurosurgery:
- Laminectomy: Surgery to remove part of the vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Microdiscectomy & discectomy: Surgery to remove a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve.
- Foraminotomy: Surgery to widen the opening where nerves exit the spine.
- Anterior cervical discectomy fusion (ACDF): Fusion of two or more vertebra to relieve pain.
- Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty: A minimally invasive procedure that treats vertebra compression by injecting bone cement.
When should you see a doctor for spine pain?
It is important to seek medical care if you experience:
- Persistent or worsening back pain.
- Pain radiating down the legs or arms.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs.
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Choose NGPG for Expert Spine Care
If back pain is interfering with your daily life, don’t wait to seek relief. Our specialists at NGPG Interventional Pain Medicine provide advanced, patient-focused care tailored to your unique needs.