Low Back Pain

Eastside Family Health Center

Internal Medicine & Sports Medicine located in Kirkland, WA

Low back pain and other musculoskeletal issues can be uncomfortable and seriously interfere with daily life. It is among the most often reported pain in the entire world. There are natural alternatives to relieve your pain; Frank Marinkovich, MD, and his expert staff at Kirkland, Washington's Eastside Family Health Center provide all-inclusive pain management treatments.

425-899-2525

Low Back Pain Q&A

What is low back pain?

There are three types of low back pain: acute, subacute, and chronic. Fortunately, back pain improves or goes away with the proper care and therapy.

What are the risk factors for low back pain?

Sedentary lifestyle
Poor physical activity
Obesity
Smoking and drinking
Pregnancy

What is etiology?

Strains and sprains
Herniated discs
Disc degeneration
Spondylolisthesis
Osteoporosis
Infection in spine
Abnormal shape of the spine
Inflammatory back pain
Sacroiliac joint pain
Posture-related back pain, such as bending, standing, or sitting

How is low back pain diagnosed?

Complete medical and physical history.
Blood test to rule out inflammatory markers, infection, cancer, or/and arthritis
Bone scan to detect and monitor fractures, bone disorders, and infection
A diagnostic imaging procedure, such as an MRI, may be needed if a problem is observed with the bone (vertebrae), soft tissue (spinal cord), nerves, and/or discs.
X-ray to rule out abnormalities in the low back such as wearing of cartilages and bones; and narrowing of vertebrae
Computerized Tomography (CT) helios to rule out any soft tissue injuries such as disc rupture, spinal stenosis, or tumors

What are the treatment options for low back pain?

Step 1

Self-care management
Hot and cold packs
Exercise to strengthen the core or abdominal muscles
Re-integration of everyday activities as soon as possible to ease pain and avoidance of strict bed rest

Step 2

Alternative techniques

TENS is a wearable, battery-operated medical device that uses electrodes on the skin over the painful area to produce electrical impulses intended to reduce or alter the experience of pain.
Physical therapy supports the low back, enhances flexibility and mobility, and encourages appropriate posture. It is frequently combined with other interventions.
Using hands to move, adjust, massage, or stimulate the spine and surrounding tissues is known as spinal manipulation or spinal mobilization. Manipulation involves a swift action that the person receiving the treatment has little control over. Mobilization entails more deliberate adjustments.

Step 3

Injections

Trigger point injections include PRP, local anesthetic, and/or corticosteroid drug into the trigger point(s) to lessen or relieve pain.
Peptide injections help diminish degenerative processes in the early stages of the lumbar disease and relieve pain.
Epidural steroid injections into the lumbar area of the back are given to treat low back pain and sciatica associated with inflammation.