Fort Lee, NJ

At NJ Spine & Orthopedic, we are proud to have award-winning, board-certified orthopedic specialists who are leaders in their field dedicated to helping patients find back pain relief. Our medical team understands the impact that chronic back pain can have on the quality of someone’s life and works tirelessly to find the best and most effective ways to treat back pain. We are thankful to be able to provide the community of Fort Lee, New Jersey, with the best medical team, advanced technology, and a patient-centered approach that ensures each patient gets the best outcome possible.

Experiencing chronic back pain makes it difficult to perform daily tasks, and it can prevent you from enjoying your life. At NJ Spine & Orthopedics, we will find the source of your pain and create a treatment plan around your specific needs so you can regain your quality of life. Our facility operates efficiently to provide a safe environment and deliver the most effective medical services to our patients. When it comes to spine-related problems, NJ Spine & Orthopedics offers the care and treatment you deserve.

Factors That Increase Someone’s Risk of Back Pain

Anyone of any age can experience a degree of back pain for a variety of reasons. However, certain factors contribute to the likelihood of developing back pain.

Age

As the body begins to age, it develops some wear and tear. Over time, the body becomes less tolerant of certain activities or stressors that can increase the risk of injury.

Extra Weight

Weight plays a significant role in spinal health. Individuals who are overweight or obese carry extra weight that stresses and strains their backs.

Lack of Physical Activity

Sedentary lifestyles can have drastic consequences on the health of your back. Those living a sedentary lifestyle with little to no physical activity will, over time, experience a significant increase in their odds of developing back problems as their muscles aren’t being strengthened.

Bad Lifestyle Habits

There are plenty of bad habits that can contribute to an increase in developing back problems. Some of the most common bad habits include:

• Smoking
• Drinking
• Eating poorly

Poor health choices lead to chronic health conditions that may contribute to significant back problems over time.

Contact Sports

While sports are physical activities that positively affect the body and are entertaining, they are not without risk. Even the most seasoned athletes and competitors can make mistakes that severely injure them. Individuals who are less trained and skilled are even more at risk of hurting themselves.

Occupational Habits and Routines

The job we perform may be necessary, but it can also place strain on our bodies. Repetitive motions that strain the back or work in certain inherently risky occupations can lead to severe injuries resulting in chronic back pain.

Genetics

Hereditary and genetic factors play a substantial role in our health and what conditions we may sustain throughout our lifetime. Certain types of genetic back diseases can increase the risk of back problems as you age.

Symptoms That Indicate It’s Time to See a Spine Doctor

Many people experience a degree of back pain at some point in their lives. Some might feel pain because they lifted improperly or slept wrong, and their pain goes away within a few days. Others, however, may find that the pain isn’t going away even after resting and taking over-the-counter medications. Still, it can be difficult to determine when the pain is severe enough and constant enough to see a doctor about it. Here are symptoms that are good indicators that it’s time to speak with a medical professional about your back pain:

• It’s been more than a few weeks, and the pain remains
• Rest and over-the-counter medication isn’t helping
• You’re feeling pain in one or both legs
• You’re experiencing weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
• A sudden and unexplained weight loss accompanies the pain
• You’re experiencing bowel or bladder problems
• A fever follows the pain
• The pain began after a bad fall, blow, or accident

If your pain remains constant and is not healing on its own after a few weeks, it’s probably best to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. The symptoms above may be indicators that there’s something more than just a strain going on with your back. When you speak with a spine specialist, they can help find the source of your pain and prevent further damage to your health.

Common Ways to Help Diagnosis Back Pain

Determining the source of someone’s back pain can be complex. Many factors influence someone’s chances of developing back problems, and the back is made up of many components. However, if a doctor suspects there is a specific condition that is causing your back pain, your doctor may run some of the following tests:

X-Ray

X-ray images show the alignment of the spinal bones and can help determine whether you’ve sustained a broken bone or are suffering from arthritis.

MRI or CT Scan

These types of scans are images that reveal problems with the following:

• Spinal bones
• Muscles
• Tissue
• Tendons
• Nerves
• Ligaments
• Blood vessels

The doctor can see if you’ve sustained a herniated disc or many other issues with these scans.

Blood Tests

A blood test can help determine whether you’re suffering from an infection or other condition causing your pain.

Bone Scan

Doctors use bone scans to look for bone tumors or other compression fractures that may be causing your back pain.

Nerve Studies

Am EMG measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of the muscles. This test can determine if there is nerve compression or narrowing of the spinal canal.

Expert Spine Surgeon at NJ Spine & Orthopedic Located in Fort Lee, New Jersey

We understand that chronic back pain is emotionally and physically draining. It can make it impossible to enjoy the day, which is why the medical team at NJ Spine & Orthopedics works to find the best and most effective ways to treat our patient’s back pain. We are determined to achieve the best possible results for our patients with the least invasive approach possible using state-of-the-art equipment and procedures. Our goal is to address the source of your pain and promote a fast recovery time that allows you to return to your life much sooner.

Contact us at (866) 272-9271 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment today.