How to Get to the Root of Your Lower Back Pain

The World Health Organization estimates that some 619 million people have some degree of lower back pain, making it the top cause of disability. But knowing that your back pain is common is little comfort. What you really want to know is what’s causing it and how you can get rid of it.

That’s where we come in.

David A. Wiles, MD, is a leading lower back pain diagnostician in  Chattanooga, Tennessee, and serves patients throughout Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport. He can get to the bottom of your back pain quickly and accurately. He also offers the most advanced treatments, so you not only get answers — you get relief.

Here’s how to spot the various causes of lower back pain and how Dr. Wiles can help you resolve it.

Know the potential causes of lower back pain

Because lower back pain has so many potential causes, the first step in figuring out the source is to familiarize yourself with the possible culprits. Here are the main reasons for lower back pain.

Strains and sprains

Did you tweak, wrench, or twist your back the wrong way? If so, you’ve probably experienced one of the most common types of back pain, a strain or sprain. These injuries occur when you overstretch or tear your back muscles (strain) or ligaments (sprain). Sprains and strains usually happen when lifting heavy objects improperly, making sudden movements, or overusing your back.

Disc issues

You have a cushiony donut-shaped disc nestled between each vertebra in your spine. When your discs are healthy, they provide protection and mobility, but when they’re damaged or diseased, your vertebrae can rub against each other painfully, and the protruding parts of the disc can irritate nearby nerves. 

Herniated, bulging, and slipped discs can occur after strain or injury, but sometimes, all it takes is aging to cause disc problems. 

Spinal fractures

Spinal fractures are rare in young, healthy people unless they’ve sustained an injury. However, spinal fractures are exceedingly common as people age. Over time, your bones lose density and are more susceptible to breakage. 

If you have osteoporosis, a disease that weakens your bones, you’re at a high risk for spinal fractures, and an event as minor as a sneeze can cause a break.

Arthritis

Arthritis can affect any joint in your body, including your spine. Of the more than 100 unique types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most likely to affect your lower back by causing inflammation in your joints and ligaments.

Spinal stenosis

If the ligaments in your back thicken with age, your discs protrude, or inflammation crowds the space around your joints, you may develop spinal stenosis or spinal narrowing, which can pinch your nerves and cause lower back pain. 

If the affected nerve is your sciatic nerve, you may feel pain in your lower back or anywhere along the nerve’s path, which runs through your buttocks and down your leg — a condition called sciatica.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is when one bone in your back slides forward over the bone below it. It's often caused by aging but can also develop due to stress fractures or congenital disabilities.

Diseases

It’s easy to assume that your lower back pain stems from a structural problem, but it can also be a symptom of other conditions. For example, certain diseases, like kidney infections or endometriosis, may cause lower back pain. 

How to figure out what’s causing your lower back pain

The first thing to know about pinpointing your lower back pain is that you can’t usually do it alone. Considering all the potential causes we listed, it helps to have an experienced lower back pain specialist on your team.

Dr. Wiles uses a comprehensive arsenal of tools and tests to diagnose the cause of your lower back pain, including:

• X-rays to view issues with your bones, such as fractures or arthritis
• MRIs to view your soft tissues and identify herniated discs or problems with blood vessels and nerves
• CT scans to visualize your spinal canal and structures within it
• Electromyography (EMG) to measure your nerves’ electrical impulses and diagnose nerve compression caused by herniated discs or spinal stenosis
• Blood tests to detect infections or diseases that may be causing your back pain

Dr. Wiles also discusses your symptoms and medical history at length, as they offer valuable clues in the diagnostic process.

How we treat lower back pain 

Given the many potential causes of lower back pain, no single approach fits all situations. However, you can rest assured that once Dr. Wiles diagnoses the root cause, he can match you with the appropriate treatment. 

We always start with the most conservative, least invasive measures first. For example, you may benefit from physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications. If these treatments don’t provide adequate pain relief, Dr. Wiles may suggest surgical intervention.

If surgery becomes necessary, don’t worry — this is Dr. Wiles’ specialty, and he’s known for his skill in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques.  These refined procedures involve smaller incisions, less pain, and a quicker recovery time. Conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis can often be treated with these types of surgical procedures.

Getting to the bottom of your lower back pain can seem overwhelming, but working with Dr. Wiles ensures you will rule out many conditions and zero in on the underlying source of your discomfort. 

To start your diagnostic and treatment journey, request an appointment online or call David A. Wiles, MD, today.