Who to see for lower back pain?

If you experience lower back pain, you are not alone. According to the American Chiropractic Association, approximately 31 million Americans suffer back pain at any time. While lower back pain can be caused by various factors, including genetics, muscle strain, or injury, the vast majority of lower back pain cases are nonspecific, meaning they cannot be attributed to a specific cause.

There are a variety of specialists you can consult for lower back pain, including your primary care physician, a spine specialist, or a pain management specialist. However, the best type of doctor for lower back pain relief is an interventional pain specialist.

Interventional pain specialists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of lower back pain. They use a variety of techniques, including injections, nerve blocks, and nerve ablation, to target the source of your pain and provide long-lasting relief. Interventional pain specialists always run advanced diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound scans, x-rays, and MRI scans, to diagnose and treat the root cause of your condition instead of simply masking the symptoms with opioids.

Who to see for lower back pain? When to visit a back center in New Jersey? We answer your questions about lower back pain in New Jersey.

Meet our interventional back pain specialists in New Jersey

New Jersey Back Center is led by some of the country’s most skilled and talented back pain specialists. We individually select interventional pain specialists from the country’s leading medical schools, residency programs, and fellowships and ensure they undergo advanced board certification. Our board-certified interventional pain management specialists have a perfect track record and ensure you feel emotionally and physically comfortable during the treatment.

You can find our back centers across New Jersey, including Clifton, Paramus, Woodland Park, and West Orange. The following is a general overview of our back centers’ locations:

  • Back Center in Clifton: Our back center is located on Route 46-E, right off NJ-3 and a short drive from the garden state parkway.
  • Back Center in Paramus: Our back center is located at 140 NJ-17, Suite 269, just off the Garden State Parkway and near the Paramus Park Mall.
  • Back Center in West Orange: Our back center in West Orange is located in the same medical office as Twinboro Physical Therapy near the West Orange High School.
  • Back Center in Woodland Park: Our back center in Woodland Park is close to Garden State Plaza — 1167 McBride Avenue, Suite 200.

If you are suffering from lower back pain, please schedule an appointment with our interventional back pain specialists in New Jersey.

What are the causes of lower back pain?

Lower back pain can have many different causes. Some causes are due to chronic conditions such as arthritis, while others are due to injuries or trauma.

  • Arthritis is a common cause of chronic back pain. There are many different types of arthritis, but all involve the inflammation of the joints. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
  • Injuries are another common cause of back pain. These can include strains, sprains, and herniated discs. If you have an injury, it’s important to rest and ice the area to reduce inflammation.
  • Trauma can also lead to back pain. This can include car accidents, falls, and sports injuries. Traumatic events can cause herniated discs, spine fractures, and muscle strains.
  • One of the most common causes of lower back pain is muscle strain. This can happen for a number of reasons, including lifting something heavy, sudden movements, or poor posture.
  • Chronic back pain can also be caused by things like obesity, poor posture, or even psychological factors like stress.

If you’re experiencing back pain, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out any serious conditions. Once a diagnosis has been made, there are many treatments available to help relieve back pain, such as physical therapy, pain medications, epidural injections, hyaluronic acid injections, platelet-rich plasma injections, nerve blocks, and more. Our interventional pain specialists will curate the ideal back pain treatment plan for you.

How do I know if my lower back pain is serious?

While most cases of chronic lower back pain are not serious, some can indicate more serious issues that require treatment. Signs and symptoms that your chronic lower back pain may be serious and require immediate treatment include:

  • Pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter or prescription medications
  • Pain that is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
  • Pain that is worse at night or when lying down
  • Pain that radiates into the hips, buttocks, or thighs
  • Difficulty standing up straight or walking
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

When should I see a doctor for lower back pain?

If you have minor back pain that goes away after a day or two of over-the-counter painkillers, you don’t need to see a doctor. But if the pain doesn’t improve or gets worse, then you should definitely contact a back pain doctor.

There are some warning signs that indicate that your back pain is serious, and you should seek medical help right away. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor for lower back pain immediately:

  • Numbness or tingling in your legs
  • Weakness in your legs
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Difficulty standing or walking
  • Intense pain that gets worse at night
  • Severe morning stiffness
  • Joint pain
  • Pain that gets worse at night
  • Pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medications
  • Pain that interferes with your daily activities

If you’re experiencing any of these warning signs, don’t delay in seeking medical help. Early diagnosis and treatment of back pain can help prevent it from becoming chronic. Chronic back pain can lead to disability and decreased quality of life. So if you’re unsure whether or not your back pain warrants a trip to the doctor, err on the side of caution and make an appointment.