Nearly everyone at some point has back pain that interferes with work, routine daily activities or recreation, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States — only headache is more common.
“As people age, bone strength and muscle elasticity and tone tend to decrease,” said Larry Reed, M.D., Radiologist, at Saint Anthony’s Health Center. “The discs begin to lose fluid and flexibility, which decreases their ability to cushion the vertebrae. Pain can occur when, for example, someone lifts something too heavy or overstretches, causing a sprain, strain, or spasm in one of the muscles or ligaments in the back.
“If the spine becomes overly strained, a disc may rupture or bulge. This rupture may put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves that control body movements and transmit signals from the body to the brain. When these nerve roots become compressed or irritated, back and leg pain may result.”
Low back pain may reflect nerve or muscle irritation or bone lesions. Most low back pain follows injury or trauma to the back, but pain may also be caused by degenerative conditions such as arthritis or disc disease, osteoporosis or other bone diseases, viral infections, irritation to joints and discs, or congenital abnormalities in the spine.
Obesity, smoking, weight gain during pregnancy, stress, poor physical condition, posture inappropriate for the activity being performed, and poor sleeping position also may contribute to low back pain. Additionally, scar tissue created when the injured back heals itself does not have the strength or flexibility of normal tissue. Buildup of scar tissue from repeated injuries eventually weakens the back and can lead to more serious injury.
Saint Anthony’s Center for Pain Management is dedicated to reducing pain using non-surgical techniques. The team includes independent physician specialists, including Board Certified radiologists trained in pain management, and psychologists, as well as registered nurses, registered radiological technologists and physical and occupational therapists.
Area resident and Saint Anthony’s Mission Partner, Jackie Donelson, first began treatment at the Center for Pain Management four year ago when she went in for lower back pain and received an injection in her spine. Before the injection, Jackie could not walk, sit or move without being in terrible pain.
“Dr. Larry Reed and his staff are my heroes,” said Jackie. “After they injected my back I had relief and got my normal, active life back. Just a few months ago I strained my back again and once again they were able to help. I have an active job that I enjoy and I would not be able to perform my job if I had not gone to the Center for Pain Management. The procedure was almost painless and the rewards were superb.”
For more information about Saint Anthony’s Center for Pain Management, call 618/474-4866.
Saint Anthony's Health Center is a 200-bed health care organization with dual campuses-Saint Anthony’s Hospital and Saint Clare’s Hospital- encompassing specialized inpatient and outpatient services. With over 150 physicians on its Medical Staff, Saint Anthony's Health Center offers a free physician referral service for the community: 618/463-1234.