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  • Procedures
      • spinal-cordALIFThe ALIF procedure is used to treat Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. The degenerated disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused.
      • occipital-nerve-blockCaudal Steroid InjectionA causal steroid injection is a procedure using an injection of steroid medication to relieve lower back and leg pain.
      • occipital-nerve-blockCeliac Plexus BlockA celiac plexus block is a procedure using an injection to assist in the diagnosis and reduction of abdominal pain caused by conditions such as cancer or pancreatitis.
      • occipital-nerve-blockCervical Steroid InjectionA cervical steroid injection is a procedure that uses an injection to relieve neck, shoulder and arm pain caused by pinched nerves in the cervical spine.
      • spine-inflammationContinuous Catheter Nerve BlocksA procedure to relieve pain by introducing a catheter to continuously provide local anesthetic to a painful area of the body.
      • spine-inflammationDisc DenervationA procedure used to treat chronic disc-related pain using radiofrequency ablation.
      • spine-nervous-systemDiscographyDiscography is a diagnostic technique used to determine the source of back pain and allows doctors to more effectively determine the best course of action for treatment.
      • occipital-nerve-blockEpidural Steroid InjectionEpidural Steroid injections may be used to eliminate pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms caused by pinched nerves.
      • occipital-nerve-blockFacet InjectionsFacet injections are used to determine whether facet joints are responsible for joint pain, and can treat the associated pain if the facet joints are to blame.
      • occipital-nerve-blockGanglion Impar BlockThis procedure helps to reduce pain in the pelvic region through a simple steroid injection.
      • discectomyHemilaminectomyA hemilaminectomy is a procedure used to decompress pinched nerve roots by removing a single lamina bone.
      • discectomyIntralaminar Lumbar Micro Endoscopic DiscectomyA surgical procedure to relieve pain from irritated nerve roots being pressed upon by herniated disc tissue.
      • discectomyLumbar MicrodecompressionA surgical procedure to ease pain and eliminate symptoms by relieving compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine.
      • occipital-nerve-blockMedial Branch BlocksMedial Branch Blocks are used as an initial measure for back pain reduction. An anesthetic is injected into the affected area of the spine to reduce inflammation and pain.
      • discectomyMicro Endoscopic DiscectomyA micro endoscopic discectomy is a surgical procedure to relieve pain from irritated nerve roots being pressed upon by herniated disc tissue.
      • man-stretchingMyelopathyMyelopathy reduces spinal function as a result of trauma or degenerative spinal conditions.
      • occipital-nerve-blockOccipital Nerve BlockThe Occipital Nerve Block procedure utilizes a quick injection of a steroid into the tissues surrounding the occipital nerve reducing swelling and pain.
      • peripheral-nerve-stimulationPeripheral Nerve StimulationThe Peripheral Nerve Stimulation procedure utilizes the latest in advances electrotherapy to manage pain caused by nerves in the spine.
      • spine-nervous-systemRadiofrequency AblationRadiofrequency Ablation works to eliminate facet joint pain by means of a tiny probe which prohibits the affected nerve from transmitting pain signals.
      • spine-inflammationSpinal Cord Stimulator ImplantA spinal cord stimulator implant uses a surgical procedure to implant a spinal cord stimulator.
      • occipital-nerve-blockSuperior Hypogastric Plexus BlockHypogastric Plexus Blocks are injections into the spine that help to alleviate pain in the pelvic region.
      • occipital-nerve-blockSympathetic BlockA Sympathetic Block consists of an injection of a local anesthetic into or around the sympathetic nerves.
      • spinal-cordTLIFA surgical procedure used to relieve pain and discomfort from the compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine.
      • spinal-cordXLIFThe XLIF procedure is a groundbreaking solution to pain caused by disc degeneration. The procedure typically lasts about an hour, and drastically cuts recovery times.
  • Conditions
      • degenerative-discAnnular TearAnnular Tear is a condition where one of the intervertebral discs tears, compromising the support of the spine.
      • degenerative-discArthritisPain from arthritis comes from the wearing down of cartilaginous tissues that insulate joints, allowing bones (or bone spurs) to come into direct contact with one another during motion.
      • bulging-discBulging DiscsBulging discs are a result of discs slipping and expanding into crevasses in the spine and occur over time, often a result of aging.
      • sciaticaFacet DiseaseFacet disease is a form of arthritis that is localized in the Facet joints. Renova doctors can treat Facet disease using just a laser.
      • spine surgeryFailed Back SurgeryIf patients have had an unsuccessful back surgery in the past, Renova can provide corrective surgery and treatment.
      • herneated-discHerniated DiscA Herniated Disc causes radiating, aching pain, sometimes with tingling and numbness, that starts in the buttock and extends down the back of one leg.
      • kyphosisKyphosisA progressive spinal disorder that results in a forward curvature of the spine and may be the result of injury, disease, fetal development abnormalities or birth defects.
      • spine surgeryMyelopathyMyelopathy reduces spinal function as a result of trauma or degenerative spinal conditions.
      • sciatica-2Pinched NervePinched nerves are caused by increased pressure on nerves by surrounding discs, bones, tissues, or ligaments.
      • spine surgeryRadicular SyndromeCompression of the nerve roots, usually due to degenerative changes in the spine and disease.
      • sacroiliac-jointSacroiliac Joint DiseaseNerve damage and SI joint inflammation due to trauma to the sacroiliac joint.
      • sciatica-2SciaticaSciatica occurs when there is increased pressure on the Sciatic Nerve. This can cause pain on one side of the body, including the hips, legs and feet.
      • spinal-stenosisSpinal StenosisSpinal Stenosis is the narrowing of openings within the spinal canal through which the spinal cord and nerve roots pass.
      • spine surgerySpondylosis / SpondylitisConditions related to arthritis of the spine and may occur as part of the normal aging process or be exacerbated due to injury or disease.
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Spine Care


Understanding and Treating Back Spasms

Published by apage on May 26, 2015

A back spasm is an involuntary, abnormal contraction of the back muscles, specifically those of the lower back. Back muscle spasms occur as a response to muscle strain, a sprained muscle or an underlying condition in the back. In order to prevent further damage to the strained muscle, lower back spasms occur as a way to restrict improper movement and limit motion. This may result in severe lower back pain from the involuntary contraction and uncontrollable tightening of the lower back muscles.

Back Spasms: Causes and Symptoms

Spasms often occur when the back muscles are strained or become swollen over time. Physical activity that involves pulling, pushing and twisting motions can increase the tearing of tendons, ligaments and muscles in the back. This can happen in sports like golf and football that demand sudden movements.

Alternatively, back spasms may be related to a more serious underlying condition. A patient with weak abdominal muscles is more vulnerable to lower back spasms. Other conditions, such as arthritis, could also increase the inflammatory responses and subsequent swelling of the lower back muscles.

Sharp, sudden pain is the primary symptom of back spasms. The pain is usually experienced in various frequencies, ranging from mild to severe, following strenuous activity. Some people can still manage to carry out tasks after experiencing a spasm. However, due to the bleeding of the muscles and surrounding tissue, it is often recommended to stop all activity after the initial pain symptoms.

Treatments of Back Spasms

As soon as possible after an injury, patients are encouraged to utilize self-treatment methods including rest, stretching and compression. Application of ice and heat has been found to be the most effective in reducing inflammation and improving blood flow, respectively.

If the pain persists, patients should visit a doctor to explore other conservative treatments. Depending on the severity and frequency of the pain, the doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve the pressure caused by the muscle contraction. Sometimes cortisone injections are prescribed for pain that has spread into the lower abdominal region. Chiropractic care and physical therapy are other recommended methods of treatment.

Posted in Information, News, Treatment | Tagged back pain, back spasms

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