Lower Back Pain Specialist in San Ramon, CA

Pain in the lower back can be caused by injury, overstrain, trauma, or overuse, but an underlying medical condition may also cause it. Because lower back pain has so many causes, it can be difficult to diagnose, especially in advanced or complex cases. Common causes include:

• Muscle or Ligament Strain – Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments.
• Damaged Discs – The discs between the vertebrae act as cushions, protecting the bones in your spine. When the soft inner portion of a disc expands or ruptures, it can pressure nearby nerves, leading to back pain.
• Arthritis – Certain types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, can affect the lower back and may lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition known as spinal stenosis.
• Osteoporosis – If the bones in the spine become porous and brittle, the vertebrae can develop painful fractures.

Lower back pain can be categorized as acute (short-term), subacute (intermediary), or chronic (long-term). Acute episodes of lower back pain usually last between a few days to several weeks; subacute lower back pain lasts between 4 to 12 weeks; chronic lower back pain can last for months, or even years. Even in severe cases, there are many different treatment options to help relieve lower back pain symptoms and improve one’s ability to live a good quality of life.

Low back pain symptoms range from a sharp and stabbing pain to a dull ache, although it can also present with symptoms much different from these. The pains can be constant and unabating or intermittent (comes and goes); it may also be positional (worsened or relieved in certain positions).

In many cases, low back pain is caused by incorrectly performing everyday activities, such as lifting heavy objects, twisting or reaching for an object, sitting for prolonged periods, or even walking with shopping bags. Because low back pain is the result of improper form, position, or posture, in many cases, it can be prevented. There are many lifestyle changes that one can implement to prevent low back pain, including:

• Exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
• Sleep sideways
• Maintain proper posture
• Reduce stress
• Quit smoking

There are many treatment options for lower back pain, from medication management to minimally invasive procedures. The following are the treatment options for lower back pain:

• Trigger point injections
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Medial branch nerve blocks
• Peripheral joint injections
• Sacroiliac joint injections
• Spinal epidural steroid injections
• Medication management
• Joint steroid injections
• Radiofrequency ablation

At Golden State Medical Center, we specialize in providing high-quality care for those suffering from lower back pain. Reach out to us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our lower back pain specialist. You can find us at 2551 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 108, San Ramon, CA 94583. We proudly serve patients from San Ramon CA, Dublin CA, Blackhawk CA, Danville CA, Alamo CA, Diablo CA, Dougherty CA, Tassajara CA, Livermore CA, Pleasanton CA, and the surrounding areas.