Back Pain

What Is Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the leading causes of pain and disability in the United States, affecting about 80% of adults at some point in their lives. For effective relief from back pain, see the experts at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center at one of their seven locations in Olney, Rosedale, Hyattsville, Lanham, Gaithersburg, Dundalk, and Baltimore, Maryland. Serving patients in Maryland and the Washington, D.C. area, the team is dedicated to patient care and reliable, evidence-based treatments to help you recover as quickly as possible.

Get Relief from All Types of Pain

Discover our full spectrum of treatments from joint and back pain to neuropathy and fibromyalgia designed to restore your comfort and mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my back hurt?

Back pain can be caused by a variety of movements, activities, and trauma to your back. Common causes of back pain include:

Lifting heavy objects
Poor lifting technique
Sleeping on your stomach
Prolonged sitting or standing
Exercise
Quick movements
Bending and twisting
Poor posture

In some cases, you may have an underlying issue that’s aggravated by something as small as a sneeze or cough. The team can help you identify specific back pain triggers to avoid and strategies you can take to strengthen your back and prevent reinjury.

What causes back pain?

Soft tissue injuries and mechanical issues in your spine are the leading causes of back pain. Other conditions that can cause back pain include:

Sprains and strains
Facet syndrome
Spinal stenosis
Degenerative disc disease
Degenerative joint disease
Arthritis
Spondylolisthesis
Herniated discs
Radiculopathy
Sciatica

Depending on the location and severity of your pain, the team may recommend minimally invasive or interventional pain management techniques to help your back heal. Many therapies can be combined to achieve results more efficiently than with individual therapies alone.

How is back pain diagnosed?

To diagnose back pain, the team begins with a comprehensive consultation and physical exam to understand the location and severity of your pain. During your exam, the team checks your:

Spinal range of motion
Flexibility
Muscle strength
Joint function
Neurological function

These tests may involve bending and twisting, which can aggravate back pain. If this is the case for you, the team modifies your exam to avoid discomfort as much as possible while obtaining a thorough evaluation. Imaging, including X-rays or an MRI, may be needed to diagnose your condition. The team provides you with a referral and explains their findings before recommending a treatment plan to help you recover.

How is back pain treated?

At CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center, the team takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating all types of back pain. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include: