Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common health problems in the United States, bringing thousands of Americans to their doctors every year. In the Tri-Valley area, we offer a range of noninvasive and surgical treatments to help improve the symptoms of people
with chronic back pain living in San Ramon and surrounding areas.
Find an Orthopedist
Advanced Treatment Options and Personalized Care for Your Back Pain
Ongoing or recurring back pain can be debilitating. That is why choosing the type of treatment is an important decision to make. Our team of experienced back pain doctors and staff at San Ramon Regional Medical Center are ready to help, using advanced
noninvasive and surgical techniques that target back pain.
We believe that there are many options for treating back pain and that each person experiences back pain differently. Our treatment modalities include pain management and physical
therapy, such as over-the-counter or prescription medications, injectable medications and exercises that strengthen the back muscles.
Surgical treatment may be the next step if these conservative options do not resolve your symptoms. We
offer minimally invasive surgical procedures that combine physician knowledge, computer technology and advanced engineering to treat chronic back pain.
We offer compassionate care and professionalism to develop a comprehensive care plan
that suits your unique needs and condition.
If you are looking for a back pain doctor in San Ramon, please call 833-275-0709 or visit this page to get a referral today.
Why Does My Back Hurt?
Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the US and can range from a dull, constant ache to sudden, sharp pain. The pain may be concentrated in one specific part or all over your back and spread to other areas, such as the buttocks, legs
and abdomen.
Back pain affects 8 out of 10 Americans. Many different things can cause back pain, such as the following:
- Sprain
- Strain
- Herniated or "slipped" disc
- Broken bones
- Changes that happen in the spine as a person ages
Certain medical conditions can also cause back pain:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Kidney stones or infections
- Tumors
What Type of Specialist Should I See for Back Pain?
Choosing a practitioner for back pain treatment depends on a patient's symptoms and the cause of pain. Health providers who treat back pain include the following:
- Primary care physicians
- Physical or occupational therapists
- Spine specialists
- Clinical psychologists
- Chiropractors
- Physiotherapists
- Osteopaths
How Do I Know if My Back Pain Is Serious?
Back pain is acute if the pain comes on suddenly and lasts from a few days to a few weeks. It becomes chronic if the pain lasts for more than three months.
Treatment depends on the source and symptoms of the pain, but you can do things to improve
your health and decrease your chance of developing chronic back pain.
Symptoms of back pain may come and go, but you may feel stiffness in the morning when you wake up, and it may get better as you move around. Seek medical attention if
the pain does not go away after a few weeks with medication or if any of the following symptoms appear together with your back pain:
- Numbness and tingling
- Trouble urinating
- Weakness, pain or numbness in your legs
- Fever
- Unintended weight loss
What Are the Different Types of Treatment for Back Pain?
Non-surgical Treatment Options
Conservative, non-surgical options are the first line of treatment for back pain which may include the following approaches:
- Physical therapy, including passive therapies like heat, ice, massage, ultrasound and electrical stimulation, as well as active treatments like stretching, weightlifting and cardiovascular exercises to restore motion and strength
- Medications to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation
- Epidural steroid injections
- Manipulation therapy
- Braces, collars to limit motion
- Rest
Surgical Treatment Options
If a severely pinched nerve, a compressed spinal cord or instability in the spine causes your back problem, your doctor may suggest surgery. Nerve damage symptoms, including pain radiating down the legs or arms; pain, numbness, weakness or tingling in
the arms or legs; or bowel or bladder control loss may also require surgery.
Doctors resort to back pain surgery only when non-surgical options have failed and when the doctor can pinpoint the source of your pain. Some chronic forms
of lower back pain sometimes cannot be treated with surgery.
The following conditions may be candidates for surgical spine treatment:
- Herniated disk
- Disk degeneration
- Spinal stenosis
- Fractures
- Infections or tumors
- Spinal deformity
Back surgery techniques are improving. Your doctor may be able to use less invasive surgery techniques to treat your condition.
How to Prevent Back Pain
Take these steps to help prevent recurrent back problems:
- Exercise regularly to keep the muscles in your back strong and flexible.
- Stretch before and after exercising to help warm up your muscles.
- Avoid standing or being in one position for too long.
- Maintain your proper body weight. Excess weight strains your back muscles.
- Observe appropriate lifting and body mechanics.
- Ask someone to help you with heavy objects or items of an awkward size.
- Do not twist or turn your body when lifting objects.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking causes the spine to degenerate faster than expected.
- Do not slouch and sit up straight.
Orthopedic Services Available at San Ramon Regional Medical Center
Living with back pain can be challenging, but the experienced back pain doctors and compassionate staff at San Ramon Regional Medical Center are here to help get you back to a more active lifestyle.
When you come to us for a consultation or procedure, we are ready to provide you with the highest quality of care and professionalism. San Ramon Regional Medical Center offers:
- Extensive experience treating a wide range of back and spine conditions using advanced technology
- A compassionate, personal approach to care
- Non-invasive and surgical options, focusing on less invasive options whenever possible
- Adult and pediatric spine care
Even though back pain is common, you should talk to a doctor if your pain is severe or becomes more frequent. Request a referral today at 833-275-0709 or fill out this form.
Insurances Accepted
San Ramon Regional Medical Center accepts various insurance plans and offers options for payment plan flexibility to help you get the quality care you need. We have a dedicated staff to assist you with your insurance coverage and financial arrangements. Let us help put your mind at ease. Please call 866-906-6871 or see this page for your billing and insurance questions. If you have specific questions about your coverage, you may contact your insurance provider directly.
