Healing and Management of Back Pain in Scottsdale, Sedona AZ

Dr. Estelle Farrell with the Valley of the Sun Institute for Pain Management in Sedona and Scottsdale, AZ, is board-certified in Osteopathic Physical Medicine and is waiting for you to schedule an appointment today regarding your back pain and a pain management approach for healthy living.

What Causes Back Pain?

The back comprises muscles, tendons, and ligaments supporting the middle structure, the spine. Four areas make up the spine:

  • Cervical
  • Thoracic
  • Lumbar
  • Sacral/Coccyx

Within all of these regions, there are vertebrae, ligaments, spinal cord, and intervertebral discs that contribute to the function of a healthy back. When one of these areas is not functioning normally, it can cause various levels of back pain.

According to the Valley of the Sun Institute for Pain Management, there are several different levels of back pain. Chronic back pain lasts longer than three months and can occur daily.

Subacute pain can come on suddenly and then last from 1 month to 3 months. And lastly, acute pain can appear suddenly and last up to a month. Your unique and individualized treatment plan depends on the type of back pain that helps with your healing process.

Several risk factors can cause back pain. Age, heredity, job performance, exercise or the lack of exercise, stress, and weight gain are among these factors.

Signs and Symptoms of back pain are:

  • Weakness below the waist down the legs
  • Back pain that comes and goes
  • Pain that worsens with sitting, standing, or lifting
  • Awakening with stiff muscles that loosen with activity

You must seek treatment immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms.

  • Back pain after a fall
  • Tingling/numbness
  • Severe pain that does not go away after treatment
  • Back pain with fever/trouble urinating/sudden weight loss.

Significant causes of back pain can be structural, such as pain from a sprain, strain, or damaged part of the back. Inflammatory processes such as arthritis, spondylosis, or osteoporosis can cause back pain.

Treatment of Back Pain

There are several steps to treating back pain. Our doctor may order X-rays, bone scans, and blood tests as an initial step in pinpointing a damaged area of the back.

Our doctor questions you regarding the cause and duration of your back pain. Prescribed medications, short-term, may be necessary as part of your comprehensive treatment plan. You may discover that comfort measures like applying heat/ice and gentle exercises to strengthen the back are helpful.

If you have questions regarding your worsening or prolonged back pain, please call Dr. Farrell at the Valley of the Sun Institute for Pain Management in Sedona and Scottsdale, AZ, today at either of our two offices in Scottsdale at (480) 955-1515 or in Sedona at (928) 327-1212.

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