If you suffer from back pain, sciatica or herniated discs, we want you to know that you are not alone. Back pain is the most common reason to seek treatment from an experienced pain management specialist.
We offer Back Pain Treatments in our Manhattan and Brooklyn locations.
Common Types of Back Pain We Treat
- Low Back Pain – Pain, pressure and stiffness across the lower back and buttock area. This is usually secondary to herniated discs or arthritis.
- Herniated Discs – Intense lower back pain. Patients typically have a hard time sitting down or getting up from a seated position. Pain into the leg is common.
- Sciatica – Herniated discs cause nerve irritation, resulting in lower back pain that radiates into the leg. Patients can experience weakness and numbness in the leg, and difficulty walking.
- Lumbar Facet Arthritis – Dull, constant low back pain that is usually worse in the morning. Patients describe a band like sensation across the lower back.
- Sacroiliac Joint Pain – Achy low back pain that spreads into the hip or buttocks. Tender points around the buttock. Common in athletes or after pregnancy.
- Tailbone Pain (Coccygodynia) – Sharp pain in tailbone (coccyx) that is usually exacerbated by sitting. There is usually history of trauma.
- Postpartum Back Pain – Low back pain that usually occurs within a few years after childbirth.
Book an Appointment Online 929-363-0303
All evaluations and back pain treatments are covered by most health insurance plans.
Table of Contents
Back Pain – One of the most common reasons to see a doctor worldwide
Back pain is incredibly common. Almost everyone at some point in their lives suffers from back pain. Most back pain usually resolves on its own. When back pain is either severe, or has persisted for more than 4 weeks, it is time to see a physician. The goal is to properly diagnose the reason for persistent back pain, and to fix the issue. If left unaddressed, back pain can become a chronic condition.
Back Pain FAQ
Why does low back pain occur?
There are many causes for low back pain, with the most common being herniated discs, arthritis, inflamed nerves, muscle spasms and poor posture.
How long does it take for low back pain to heal?
Depending on the cause and the treatment selected, low back pain should greatly improve within 2 to 8 weeks.
What are my treatment options?
Treatment for low back pain is highly dependent on the underlying cause. Once the condition is identified, you may be offered physical therapy, anti-inflammation medication, or targeted injections that decrease pain and inflammation.
Can low back pain cause upper back pain?
Yes, lower back can pain can cause upper back pain. Low back pain causes poor posture and improper gait, leading to pain in other parts of your back, hips and joints.
Can osteoporosis cause low back pain?
Yes, weak bones can lead to compression fractures resulting in severe low back pain.
Bulging/Herniated Discs and Sciatica
A bulging disc happens when a weakened or deteriorated disc shifts outside of its normal housing between the vertebra. Usually this occurs slowly over a long period of time as we age, or as a result of an acute injury. Bulging discs are common. When the disc is acutely displaced, nerves frequently become pinched and inflamed, causing pain. Patients typically experience low back pain that may radiate into the buttock or leg, a condition also known as Sciatica. Weakness and numbness of the leg can occur. It may be difficult to walk, sleep, or to stand from a seated position.
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If bulging discs are causing symptoms, they require treatment. Once the bulging disc is identified, treatment is usually successful. Surgery is rarely warranted.
Lumbar Bulging/Herniated Disc and Sciatica FAQ
What are the symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc?
Depending on the size and a shape of a bulging disc the pain can be in the middle of the back, or the pain may radiate into one or both legs into the foot. The patient may also experience numbness and tingling.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition in which a herniated lumbar disc causes the nerves that are going into the leg to become “pinched” or inflamed. Patients will have a hard time sitting and walking, and will experience pain and numbness into the buttock and leg.
How do we fix a bulging disc?
In most cases the bulging disc does not need “fixing”. The pain from a bulging disc, however, can be easily managed using physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication or epidural injection therapy. Once the inflammation is controlled, symptoms will begin to subside.
Can a bulging disc heal?
Usually a bulging disc will not heal itself. However, most bulging discs do not cause symptoms and are of no clinical significance.
What does a bulging disc look like?
The bulging disc looks like a jelly doughnut with jelly leaking out. The jelly is the disc content.
How long does a bulging disc take to heal?
If treated properly, sciatica from a bulging disc should resolve within 4-6 weeks. If you are suffering from sciatica for longer than 4 weeks, please see a pain management specialist.
Can a x-ray show a bulging disc?
While the x-ray itself does not show discs, some finding can allude to a disc change. The Gold Standard study for a disc evaluation is MRI.
Does a bulging disc require surgery?
Surgery is rarely warranted for a bulging disc. If all other treatment options fail, surgery may be an option. If treatment is promptly initiated, surgery can usually be avoided.
Is a bulging disc serious?
A bulging disc is not a life-threatening condition, but it can cause severe pain, immobility, and decreased quality of life.
Treatments for a bulging disc include:
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Epidural steroid injection – Lumbar Epidural or Transforaminal Epidural
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Lumbar Facet Arthritis
Lumbar facet joint arthritis is a form of small joint arthritis that occurs along the lumbar spine. The facet joints hold the spine together. Over time or with strenuous physical activity, these joints can lose their cartilage and develop bone spurs, which causes inflammation of nearby nerves. Patients will typically complain of pain and stiffness in the low or mid back. The pain is usually described as a dull ache around the affected area. The pain does not to radiate into the legs. The pain and stiffness is usually worse first thing in the morning and at the end of the day, and is exacerbated with physical activity, bending and twisting. It can be painful to get up from a seated position. Once the correct diagnosis is made, treatment is usually highly successful.
How serious is facet arthritis of lumbar region?
This depends on the degree of the degenerative changes. The condition is not life-threatening and typically does not result in neurological compromise. However, it can cause pain and greatly decrease mobility and quality of life.
Treatment options for facet joint arthritis include:
- Physical Therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Medial branch block / Facet joint injection – local anesthetic injected around the facet joints. This stops the pain almost immediately.
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) – heat applied to the facet joints. This usually alleviates pain for 9 months to 1.5 years or more.
Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Sacroiliac joint pain is a dull, achy pain that is felt in the low back and buttock area. It can sometimes radiate to the groin. The pain is usually felt on one side, but can be bilateral. The pain is usually worse when running or climbing stairs. The cause is Sacroiliac Dysfunction, which can occurs secondary to prolonged sitting, sports injuries, pregnancy, child birth and prior low back surgery.
Why does sacroiliac joint pain occur?
SI joint pain can occur as a result of improper lifting or bending, or as a result of ligament laxity during pregnancy.
Can sacroiliac joint pain be cured?
Most of the time the pain can be well controlled with medications and injections. In very rare cases, however surgery might be required.
What is the treatment for sacroiliac joint pain?
Physical Therapy, anti inflammatory medication, and sacroiliac joint injections are common treatments.
Is a sacroiliac joint injection painful?
These injections are generally not painful and very well tolerated. If you have a fear of needles and would rather not feel the injection, we do offer IV sedation as an option.
Treatments for Sacroiliac joint pain include:
- Sacroiliac joint injection – injection of local anesthetic and steroid around the sacroiliac joint. This usually alleviates pain almost immediately.
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Lifestyle modification
Book an Appointment Online 929-363-0303
Tailbone Pain (Coccygodynia)
Coccygodynia is characterized by pain and tenderness localized to the tail bone. The pain is usually describe as sharp and stabbing. It can be quite severe and disabling. Pain is generally exacerbated by sitting, or by changing position from standing to sitting. The cause of the pain is usually trauma or fall, but it can happen spontaneously without an injury.
What causes tailbone pain?
This usually occurs secondary to injury, fall or trauma.
How can you relieve tailbone pain?
Conservative measures such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and sitting on a cushion should be attempted. If the pain persists after these measures, a trial of a ganglion impar block ( local anesthetic injection around the coccyx) will usually resolve the inflammatory response.
How long does tailbone pain last?
Tailbone pain can last from weeks to years depending on the severity of the problem. It can potentially become a chronic condition.
When should you see a doctor for tailbone pain?
You should see a doctor if the pain is severe, lasts more than two weeks, and if you develop fever/chills or any other signs of infection.
Treatments options include:
- Ganglion Impar Block – injection of local anesthetic around the tailbone. This breaks the pain cycle and allows healing to begin. Pain relief is almost immediate.
- Rest and physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
Book an Appointment Online 929-363-0303
Postpartum Back Pain
Back pain after childbirth is extremely common. It can occur from a few months to several years after a baby is born. The pain is usually dull and achy and typically occurs in the lower back and can radiate into the buttocks or legs. There are multiple causes, with the most common being rapid weight changes, excessive pressure on the back during vaginal delivery or c-section, pregnancy hormones that weaken ligaments, and progression of a disc herniation. Proper diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent further disease progression. Once treatment is initiated, back pain is easily managed and usually resolves.
How long does postpartum back pain last?
Depending on the individual and the anatomical changes during pregnancy, pain can last from weeks to years.
What is the best way to treat postpartum back pain?
Core strengthening and proper rehabilitation is very important. If pain persists, an epidural injection can be attempted.
Is postpartum back pain serious?
While usually not life-threatening, postpartum back pain can be debilitating. Proper treatment should resolve this condition.
Treatments for Postpartum Back Pain include:
- Physical therapy and yoga
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Epidural steroid injection
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection
If you are suffering from chronic or acute pain, please contact us at 929-363-0303 or book your appointment online and let’s talk about a pain management treatment plan that is right for you.
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We Accept Most Insurances:
- 1199
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Cigna
- Consolidated Health Plans
- Empire Plan (NYSHIP)
- Fidelis Care
- GHI
- HealthFirst
- HIP – Emblem Health
- Magnacare
- Medicare
- Meritain Health
- MetroPlus Health Plan
- Oscar
- Oxford Freedom
- Tricare
- UMR
- United Healthcare
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