Back Pain

Get Back Your Mobility with Advanced Spine Care

If you’re suffering from a back injury, have a long-term back or spine condition or are living with the realities of normal wear and tear, Tenet Health Central Coast can help. We provide convenient access to a comprehensive range of spine care in San Luis Obispo and surrounding areas to help treat back pain.

Our team of specialists at the Spine Center will work with you to provide personalized treatment and care, from the onset of your symptoms to recovery, with a focus on exploring all your nonsurgical options first. And if you need surgery, our specially trained spine surgeons in San Luis Obispo are ready to provide the best surgical options based on your condition.

What Conditions Do We Help Treat?

Back or spine fractures
Degenerative disc disease
Herniated disc
Kyphosis
Radiculopathy
Scoliosis
Spondylolisthesis

What Causes Back Pain?

Research says that up to 80% of Americans experience lower back pain, and its first attack or symptoms usually occur between age 30 and 50. Lower back pain is commonly caused by a problem in one or more parts of the lower back such as the nerves, ligaments, spine and muscles. It is also known as lumbago.

Acute back pain can last from several days to a few weeks, while chronic back pain usually lasts beyond three months. Some of the most common causes of back pain are as follows:

A herniated or ruptured disc
Abnormal spine curvatures (i.e., scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis)
Arthritis
Bladder issue
Fibromyalgia
Kidney infection or kidney stones
Osteoporosis
Spine infection
Sciatica
Spine cancer
Spinal stenosis
Strained muscles

What Are the Risk Factors for Back Pain?

The following may increase a person’s risk for back pain:

Arthritis
Engaging in high-impact activities without warming up or stretching first
Obesity
Old age
Physical inactivity
Smoking

What Can You Do to Relieve Back Pain?

Regardless if your back pain is acute or severe, we recommend that you see a back pain doctor in San Luis Obispo as soon as possible to get the treatment you need before it gets worse. And while waiting for your appointment, we recommend the following for temporary pain relief:

Try a low-impact activity (i.e., yoga, stretching or a short walk) to loosen tense muscles.
Apply an ice pack or a heating pad to your back to reduce inflammation or to loosen stiff muscles.
Grab an over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief cream.
Sleep in a comfortable position with extra pillows for additional support.
Manage or reduce stress through meditation, deep breathing, etc.
Wear shoes that provide additional support to your feet.

How Do You Know if Your Back Pain Is Serious?

Back pain, although quite common, may be a sign of a more serious condition. If you experience the following symptoms of a more serious case of back pain, please do not delay care. See a back pain doctor in San Luis Obispo as early as possible.

Back deformity or swelling
Chest pain
Fever
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Pain that comes with a throbbing sensation in the stomach
Pain that gets worse at night
Pain that gets worse when you sneeze, cough or poop
Pain that makes it difficult for you to fall or stay asleep
Tingling or numbness around your buttocks or genitals
Tingling, numbness or weakness in one or both legs
Unexplained weight loss
Pain after a fall or a blow to the back

How Do Back Pain Doctors Diagnose Back Pain?

Our back pain providers in San Luis Obispo conduct a physical exam to diagnose back pain and test the patient’s ability to walk and stand, leg strength, reflexes, spinal range of motion and ability to detect sensation in the legs. For more severe symptoms, the back pain doctor may also request other tests and screenings which may include any of the following:

Blood tests
Bone scans
Computed tomography (CT) scan
Electromyography (EMG)
Urine tests
X-ray

What Are the Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Back Pain?

Some types of back pain get better over time. This is also why back and spine doctors offer nonsurgical options first to patients such as the following:

Alternative medicine (i.e., massage, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, relaxation techniques, etc.)
Antidepressants
Back braces
Ice or heat therapy
Muscle relaxants
Prescription medications (i.e., ibuprofen and naproxen)
Steroid injections
Topical rubs and ointments

The thought of undergoing surgery can be frightening for some patients. But you can rest assured that our Spine Center providers are experienced in what they do and provide compassionate care that can make you feel comfortable, supported and guided every step of the way.