Back pain is one of the most common reasons people in the U.S. visit a doctor. At Lyon Primary Care in Midtown, New York, NY, we understand that along with the pain, back issues can interrupt your daily routine and cause you to miss work or other notable events. Our primary care specialist, Valerie Lyon, M.D., completes thorough back pain exams and then designs personalized treatment plans that can get you back on your feet and moving pain-free again. Call us today for an appointment with Dr. Lyon.
We often find it difficult to identify a specific reason for generalized back pain. Symptoms that come on suddenly or acutely are frequently related to unexpected falls, heavy lifting, or using improper body mechanics when lifting.
When your back pain lasts less than six weeks, we consider it an acute issue. It becomes chronic (long-term) when your back pain lasts for three months or more.
Underlying conditions that cause pain in your back and limit your flexibility include:
Your back pain may occur as aching discomfort in your muscles, shooting or stabbing pain, or pain that starts in your back and moves (radiates) down your leg(s). This is called sciatica.
While the pain and stiffness can be debilitating, most back pain gradually improves over a couple of weeks and is likely due to muscular issues.
Your lower back pain may indicate a more significant issue that needs immediate medical care if:
While anyone at any age can develop back pain, a few factors that might increase your risk include:
We find that treatment with anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxants, and home remedies — such as heat or ice to the affected area — are sufficient for most bouts of back pain. We may also refer you to physical therapy or an orthopedic specialist if your symptoms don’t resolve as expected, but we can almost always solve the problem at our office.
Call our office today to make an appointment.