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Back Pain Specialist

Modern Pain & Spine

Interventional Pain Management Specialists located in Albuquerque, NM

Back pain is a common problem that affects nearly 80% of adults at some point in their life. Though the severity and duration of back pain vary, ongoing discomfort from a back condition may affect many aspects of your life. Serving the areas of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, Modern Pain & Spine offers many innovative treatments for back pain. Athanasios Manole, MD, and the interventional pain management specialists focus on you, not your pain. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Albuquerque, or book online today.

Back Pain Q & A

What is back pain?

Back pain includes any discomfort that affects one or more of the components that make up your back. Anyone can develop back pain, but it’s more common in people who live a sedentary lifestyle.

Back pain may be acute or chronic.

Acute back pain

Acute back pain is short-term, lasting a few days or a few weeks. This type of pain typically occurs because of mechanical problems related to the spine, muscles, nerves, or intervertebral discs.

When your acute back pain extends past four weeks, you have subacute back pain.

Chronic back pain

When back pain lasts 12 or more weeks, you have chronic back pain. About 20% of people with acute back pain develop chronic back pain. 

Though many people don’t seek help for back pain until it turns into a chronic condition, an early diagnosis and treatment for acute back pain may prevent a chronic problem. 

Modern Pain & Spine specializes in preventive and regenerative pain management. The pain management specialists encourage anyone suffering from back pain, whether acute or chronic, to schedule a consultation so they can help. 

What causes back pain?

Many people develop back pain after an accident or from lifting heavy objects, which may injure one or more of the components that make up their back. 

Common causes of back pain include:

  • Strains and sprains
  • Fractures
  • Herniated discs
  • Sciatica
  • Radiculopathy
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spinal infection
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Arthritis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Spinal deformities like scoliosis
  • Post-laminectomy syndrome (back pain following back surgery)

You may also experience back while pregnant or, in rare instances, from cancer.

When you come in for a back pain evaluation, your provider at Modern Pain & Spine conducts a comprehensive exam to find the underlying cause of your pain.

In addition to reviewing your symptoms and medical history, your provider may also perform on-site digital X-rays to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis. If needed, they can refer you for additional imaging like an MRI or CT scan, bone scan, or electromyography (EMG).

What are the treatments for back pain?

Treatment for back pain depends on the underlying cause and the severity and duration of symptoms. Modern Pain & Spine takes a patient-centered approach to care, treating you and not your pain. 

Initially, your provider may recommend conservative treatments such as on-site physical therapy, pain medication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, or muscle relaxers. 

When conservative measures fail to provide adequate relief, your provider may recommend interventional pain management treatments such as:

  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
  • Facet joint injections
  • Selective nerve injections
  • Caudal epidural injections
  • Sacroiliac (SI) joint injections
  • Trigger point injections
  • Radiofrequency ablation

Modern Pain & Spine performs interventional pain management treatments on-site using state-of-the-art ultrasound or fluoroscopic imaging to ensure injection accuracy. 

For a comprehensive approach to back pain, call Modern Pain & Spine, or book a consultation online today.