Back pain frequently stems from mechanical problems such as strains, sprains, or injuries to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons supporting the spine. It can also be due to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis, nerve-related causes like sciatica, inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, and less common causes like infections, certain diseases or lifestyle factors.

At Specialty Medical Center, we have a team of experienced healthcare professionals who are skilled in diagnosing and managing various causes of back pain. Our team can help diagnose the cause of your back pain through a thorough history and physical examination, and if necessary, imaging tests like X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans. After a diagnosis is confirmed, we can offer a personalized treatment plan that may include pain management techniques, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, or in some cases, surgical interventions. We recognize how back pain can greatly affect your quality of life and hinder daily activities. Our commitment is to provide comprehensive care to help you manage your symptoms and enhance your overall well-being.

Our team of highly skilled specialists is equipped to diagnose and treat back pain. Our board-certified physicians have expertise in conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system including the spine. They can perform a thorough physical examination, review your medical history, and order imaging tests to accurately evaluate your condition. This allows them to create the most effective treatment plan for you, whether it involves surgical or non-surgical options.

If your back pain is chronic and impacts your physical function and mobility, our board-certified physicians can help. Specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, they use a holistic approach that combines physical therapy, medications, and other non-surgical.

Our pain management physicians offer a range of treatments, from medication to nerve blocks, to help you manage your back pain effectively. Moreover, we understand that chronic back pain can have psychological impacts too. If needed, our psychiatrists can provide strategies to manage the emotional distress, anxiety, or depression caused by chronic pain.

Our board-certified physicians will suggest the most appropriate tests, customized to your specific symptoms and medical history.

• X-rays: You need to perform X-ray imaging, providing detailed images of the bones in your spine to reveal any abnormalities such as fractures, misalignments, arthritis, or bone spurs.

• CT scans: We utilize Computed Tomography (CT) scans to create cross-sectional pictures of the spine, offering a more comprehensive view of your body’s soft tissues, including bone structures, ligaments, and intervertebral discs.

• MRI scans: MRI technology, which employs magnetic fields and radio waves, produces detailed images of the spine’s soft tissues. This can help detect herniated discs or problems with bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, and blood vessels.

• Electromyography (EMG): EMG testing can measure the electrical activity in nerves and muscles to confirm nerve compression resulting from herniated discs or the narrowing of your spinal canal (spinal stenosis).

• Nerve Conduction Studies (Electroneurography): These tests measure the electrical impulses generated by your nerves and the corresponding muscle responses. They can assist in diagnosing nerve compression or damage resulting from conditions like spinal stenosis or herniated discs.

• Bone density scans: We use bone density scans not only for osteoporosis but also to detect some types of bone tumors or other conditions that may be causing your back pain.

• Blood tests: While they can’t directly pinpoint the causes of back pain, blood tests can help detect infections, inflammatory disorders, or metabolic abnormalities that might be contributing to your discomfort.

At Specialty Medical Clinic, we understand that an accurate diagnosis is essential for creating a successful treatment plan. The information gathered from diagnostic tests enables our healthcare providers to determine the severity and location of your problem, rule out serious underlying conditions, select appropriate treatment options, including medications, physical therapy, injections, or surgery, and monitor the effectiveness of treatment and make necessary adjustments.

Although many cases can be handled with self-care or primary care treatment, certain situations call for the attention of a specialist. Our experienced team of board-certified physicians are committed to providing comprehensive care for your back pain.

• Persistent Pain: One of the primary indicators that it might be time to see a specialist is if your back pain persists beyond six weeks. If your pain doesn’t subside or becomes progressively worse, it might indicate a more serious condition that needs further evaluation.

• Severe Pain: Severe pain that doesn’t improve with rest is another sign that you may need to consult with our specialists. This may indicate a serious underlying issue, like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

• Neurological Symptoms: If you experience back pain along with numbness, weakness, or tingling in your legs or feet, it could suggest nerve compression or damage. Prompt evaluation is essential to prevent further neurological complications.

• Progressive Weakness: Back pain associated with increasing weakness in the legs should not be ignored. This could indicate a spinal cord injury or other neurological condition that requires urgent intervention at our center.

• Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control: If you experience a sudden or gradual loss of bowel or bladder control alongside back pain, it’s vital to get urgent medical attention. This could be a sign of a serious spinal cord issue.

• Trauma or Injury: If you’ve recently had a fall, an accident, or injury resulting in back pain, see one of our specialists immediately. An evaluation could help you avoid potentially severe complications or permanent damage.

• Age and Previous History of Back Problems: If you’re over 50 and dealing with back pain for the first time, or if you have a history of significant back problems or previous spinal surgery, come see our specialists. In older adults, back pain can be a sign of conditions like osteoporosis or arthritis. Recurrent or severe back pain in individuals with a history of back issues may require specialized care at our center.

• Failed Conservative Treatment: If conservative measures, such as rest, medication, and physical therapy, have failed to provide significant relief from back pain, it may be time to seek specialized care. Our team can evaluate the underlying cause and recommend more advanced treatment options.

If you’re experiencing back pain that’s out of the ordinary for you and is causing you concern, it’s best to see a specialist. Remember, while many cases of back pain can be managed with conservative measures, seeking specialized care when appropriate is crucial for accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and the prevention of long-term complications.

Specialty Medical Center provides pain management services. We also encourage everyone to visit us online to learn more about our services and for directions to our leading healthcare clinics. We serve clients from Sterling Heights MI, Dearborn MI, Detroit MI, Birmingham MI, Allen Park MI, Warren MI, and BEYOND!