Category: Back Pain

Back pain is extremely common, especially in today’s technology-driven and sedentary world. Long hours spent sitting, poor posture, repetitive strain, and limited physical activity contribute to increasing rates of spinal discomfort. In fact, low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Millions of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

If you live in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and are struggling with persistent back pain, the board-certified specialists at Texas Spine Associates are here to help. Our spine surgeons are members of the North American Spine Society and have extensive training in accurately diagnosing and treating conditions of the back and spine.

Common Symptoms of Back Pain

Back pain can present in different ways — depending on the underlying cause, severity, and duration of symptoms. Many patients report:

• Low back pain that radiates into the buttocks or legs
• Pain triggered by certain movements, positions, or prolonged sitting/standing
• Muscle stiffness or spasms in the back
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs
• Pain that persists for months or tends to flare up intermittently
• Discomfort that is worse in the morning or after activity

How Back Pain Is Diagnosed

Because the spine is complex, pinpointing the exact source of pain requires a careful evaluation. At Texas Spine Associates, our first step is always a detailed conversation with each patient — reviewing medical history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, and any prior treatments.

A physical exam of the spine guides our next steps. If needed, advanced imaging such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or bone scan may be used to confirm what’s causing the pain.

Personalized Treatment Options

Our team – Dr. Neil Shah, Dr. Vishal Patel, and Dr. Christopher Happ – uses a multidisciplinary approach to care. We work closely with neurologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, and radiologists to create customized treatment plans based on the individual needs of each patient.

Most patients improve with non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, medication management, posture correction, core strengthening, and activity modification. Surgery may be considered in select cases when symptoms do not improve or when nerve compression becomes severe.

When Back Pain Is an Emergency

While most back pain is not dangerous, certain symptoms may indicate a serious medical condition. Seek immediate medical care if there is:

• Progressive weakness in the legs
• Loss of coordination or sensation
• Sudden weight loss, fever, chills, nausea, or loss of appetite
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

These signs may indicate nerve damage, infection, tumor, or severe spinal cord compression — and should not be ignored.

Back pain is one of the most frequent health complaints in the United States, but not all back pain is the same. For some people, discomfort stems from strained muscles or physical overuse; for others, it may signal an underlying spinal condition.

Knowing the difference matters, because the right diagnosis leads to the right treatment. Understanding whether your pain is muscular or spinal can help you take the next step toward effective relief — and we’re here to help. Continue reading “Muscles or Spine? Finding the Source of Your Back Pain” →

If you experience on and off back pain, you are not alone. Many adults have pain in their back while doing certain chores, moving in awkward positions, or even putting on their shoes. In some cases the pain is not serious and will go away, however, there are instances where the pain is serious and you should seek care from a spine specialist like Texas Spine Associates in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

Continue reading “Is My Back Pain Serious?” →

We live in a world of instant gratification. After going through back surgery, most patients expect their back pain to disappear after surgery. They may think they will wake up, and the pain will be gone. In a lot of cases, some back pain is normal in the first 72 hours post surgery, so don’t panic. Let us describe what is normal and what is not. Back pain after surgery? Here’s what to know.

Continue reading “Back Pain After Surgery? Here’s What To Know” →

It can happen in the most innocuous ways like bending down to tie your shoes. You are suddenly in extreme pain, you can barely stand up straight, and getting into a car is a non-starter. You probably have your own story about throwing your back out, and you remember it well. So exactly what does it mean to “throw your back out”?

Continue reading “What Does It Mean to “Throw Your Back Out”?” →

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”… sang Andy Williams decades ago, but it still plays on those radio stations that start holiday music at Halloween. Maybe they do it just to give you a head start on stress. You know, the shopping, decorating, wrapping gifts, assembling toys, planning holiday dinners, and you can fill in the rest-stress. Somebody somewhere might be happy, but it’s certainly not you, especially if you have back issues. Keep reading for 6 ways to avoid holiday back pain.

Continue reading “6 Ways To Avoid Holiday Back Pain” →