What Makes Your Lower Back Hurt?

Back Pain Doctor on Long Island

Unfortunately, a large portion of the population experiences lower back pain at some point. The lower back is a point of extreme pressure and weight from the rest of the body. If you have an injury on your body, it can travel to the back and cause issues. Dr. Han Jo Kim is a spine surgeon committed to treating all varieties of back pain. If you are experiencing back pain, we recommend visiting a Back Pain Doctor on Long Island. 

Lower Back Pains Symptoms

Lower Back Pain can be excruciating and indicate a more severe problem than just pain. It is essential to understand the different pain symptoms associated with back pain to know what to explain to your Back Pain Doctor on Long Island. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of lower back problems:

  • Pain that travels to the lower extremities: Lower back pain can travel down to your thighs, feet, and legs and cause more pain overall. Typically this type of pain is a sharp, numbing, or tingling pain generally associated with a nerve problem. 
  • Dull aching lower back pain: This pain is more of a dull, constant pain than sharp, burning pain. This dull pain can also bring along more symptoms such as muscle spasms and limited mobility in the back. This pain likely doesn’t travel to other body parts as it is more localized to the lower back. 
  • Pain that usually is only present at the beginning of the day: This type of pain is likely excruciating when you wake up in the morning; however, it relieves itself once you get up and move around throughout the day. Limited movement after sleeping for a long time means there is not as much blood moving around throughout the body, which can cause pain.
  • Pain that is increased/decreased depending on your positioning: Some pain can be associated with specific postures or positionings. For example, when someone is standing straight up, they may experience severe pain. However, the pain may be relieved by leaning on something.

The different types of pain are likely associated with other lower back pain causes. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can cause back pain. The best way to address your back pain is to see a Back Pain Doctor on Long Island. A doctor will ensure you get the proper treatment for the symptoms you are experiencing. Don’t let your back pain go unaddressed, as it can impact your mobility and quality of life. 

Lower Back Pain Causes

Lower back pain can be a symptom of many different conditions and problems. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure of a particular diagnosis is to use imaging and a doctor’s expertise. Understanding your diagnosis can help you get the best treatment possible and make a full recovery. Here are a few examples of different lower back pain causes: 

  • Sprains and Strains: It is possible to sprain a ligament or strain a muscle in your back. It can cause severe pain depending on the extent of the sprain. These injuries can occur through lifting heavy objects with your back instead of legs, poor posture, and playing sports. Typically this pain does not last a long time; however, it is crucial to give your back rest if this is causing your pain. 
  • Herniated Disc: There are “jelly” like cushions that separate the vertebrae throughout your back. These cushions help maintain mobility and protection throughout the back. These discs can break and leak due to overuse or an injury. The inside of these discs can cause inflammation in the back and can impact the back nerves, resulting in severe pain. 
  • Joint Dysfunction: Joints throughout the back are prone to injury. If inflammation occurs around these joints, you will likely experience severe pain as these joints are essential to everyday movement. 
  • Tumors: While this is less common, tumors in the back are a possible cause of lower back pain. Tumors likely spread from other body areas to the spine, causing the pain. These tumors can grow and cause pressure on different areas of the back. 

Diagnosis/Treatment

We strongly recommend you visit a Back Pain Doctor on Long Island for any back pain you may have. No one should have to live their life suffering from extreme pain, especially in such an essential part of the body. Your back is vital to your movement and completion of daily activities. At a doctor’s office, they will likely address your family history of back pain. They will also likely perform a physical exam of some sort. A physical exam can include different body movements and identifying where/when there is pain. A doctor will also recommend diagnostic imaging! For example, a doctor typically starts with an X-ray to determine if there are any bone abnormalities. They may choose to send you for more detailed imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan. 

Finally, doctors will recommend treatment options to relieve your back pain. Treatment can consist of rest, medication, and heat/ice on the impacted area. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the issue causing severe pain. 

Contact Our Back Pain Doctor on Long Island

Dr. Han Jo Kim and his team are ready to help you get ahold of your back pain today. We specialize in spine surgery and are equipped with the expertise and tools to relieve your pain. Contact our office if your back pain is impacting your daily life. We will get you back to feeling better in no time as Dr. Han Jo Kim is a Back Pain Doctor on Long Island.