Back Pain Specialist

Apex Medical Center

Pain Management Physicians & Internists located in Las Vegas, NV

Few things can throw a wrench in a typical day faster than back pain. Whether it’s sudden and unexpected stiffness or chronic, persistent aching, back pain can be hard to ignore. At Apex Medical Center, a team of highly-skilled doctors and support staff, including David Ezeanolue, M.D., C.I.M.E., Alafuro T. Oruene, M.D., and Blanche Y. Bonnick, M.D., are standing by to help men and women from in and around Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, find an effective treatment for all types of back pain. A simple online scheduling tool makes it fast and easy to find time to come in for a thorough exam.

Back Pain Q & A

What are some common causes of back pain?

Back pain can originate from several causes, and sometimes there’s no clear origin. Some of the more common causes of back pain include:

Strained muscles or ligaments

If you lift a heavy object or engage in repeated heavy lifting, you’re at risk of straining the muscles in your back or the ligaments in your spine. If you’re not in good physical shape, the potential for injury is even greater.

Arthritis or osteoporosis

Arthritis or osteoporosis can cause some lower back pain. They can create a narrowed area surrounding your lower spine known as spinal stenosis.

Disc issues

If the discs cushioning your spinal vertebrae begin to bulge or rupture, pressure on your nerves can create significant pain.

Physiological irregularities

Some back pain is directly tied to physical problems. Scoliosis, for example, is a condition where your spine curves to one side, and it can be painful for people with severe cases.

Who has a high risk of developing back pain?

You can develop back pain at any point in your life, including childhood. That said, certain risk factors increase the chances of developing back pain.

Common risk factors include:

Being over the age of 30
Being overweight
Not using proper lifting techniques
Being out of shape
Smoking
Certain diseases, including cancer and arthritis
Certain psychological conditions, including depression and anxiety

What treatment options can help with back pain?

In many cases, back pain resulting from a simple muscle or ligament strain subsides over the course of a week or so with no need for medical treatment. For pain that persists, or is severe in nature, seeking medical attention is the best way to find relief.

The first line of treatment is often over-the-counter medication formulated to provide anti-inflammatory benefits. If those aren’t effective, prescription drugs can help.

Some of the more common prescription drugs doctors use to treat back pain are:

Muscle relaxers
Antidepressants
Topical pain relief creams, ointments, or salves
Injectible anti-inflammatories
Narcotic medications

Your doctor will try to determine the source of your back pain and suggest appropriate treatment options. If back pain is chronic, then your doctor can create a pain management program to meet your needs and help reduce your reliance on prescription medications.

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