Dawn A. Marcus, MD

VOL 113 / NO 4 / APRIL 2003 / POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE

• To understand the recommended management of chronic pain, including assessment and treatment of comorbid psychologic symptoms and disability
• To develop realistic treatment goals for patients with chronic nonmalignant pain
• To identify appropriate candidates for long-term opioid therapy and determine treatment compliance and success

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Other indications that you should seek medical pain advice for from your neck pain doctor…
When these symptoms appear in association with neck pain or neck muscle pain:

• Severe pain from an injury. After head or neck trauma, such as whiplash or a blow to your head, see your pain doctor immediately for medical pain advice. Severe pain or intense pain over an area of bone might by symptomatic of a bone fracture or a ligament injury
• Shooting nerve pain. Pain that radiates to your shoulder, through to or into your shoulder blades and/or down into your arm, a numbness or tingling sensation in your fingers, may indicate nerve irritation. Neck pain from nerve irritation may last anywhere from 3 to 6 months or possibly longer. Serious problems can manifest from ongoing nerve irritation, and you should seek medical pain advice from your pain doctor.
• Diminished muscle strength. Loss of strength in your arms or legs, stiff legs, or having to shuffle your feet to compensate for loss of strength may indicate the need for immediate evaluation and medical pain advice.
• Change of bladder and/or bowel regularity. If you are experiencing noteble changes in the frequency or regularity of urination or defecation can indicate a more serious nerve disorder or problem. If these symptoms appear, especially in conjunction with a neck injury or other medical pain, you should seek medical pain advice from your pain doctor.

Call the Utah Pain Doctors at 801-685-PAIN (685-7246) for medical pain advice consultations.

What Are the Causes of Back Pain?
There are many causes of back pain. Mechanical problems with the back itself can cause pain. Examples are:

• Disc breakdown
• Spasms
• Tense muscles
• Ruptured discs
• Injuries from sprains, fractures, accidents, and falls can result in back pain.

Back pain can also occur with some conditions and diseases, such as:

• Scoliosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Arthritis
• Spinal stenosis
• Pregnancy
• Kidney stones
• Infections
• Endometriosis
• Fibromyalgia

Other possible causes of back pain are infections, tumors, or stress.

When Should I See a Doctor for Pain? You should see a doctor if you have:

• Numbness or tingling
• Severe pain that does not improve with rest
• Pain after a fall or an injury

Pain plus any of these problems:

• Trouble urinating
• Weakness
• Numbness in your legs
• Fever
• Weight loss when not on a diet

How Is Back Pain Diagnosed? To diagnose back pain, your doctor will take your medical history and do a physical exam. Your doctor may order other tests, such as:

• X rays
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Blood tests

Medical tests may not show the cause of your back pain. Many times, the cause of back pain is never known. Back pain can get better even if you do not know the cause. We offer injection and non injection therapy to treat chronic back pain which includes:

• Epidural steroid injection
• Facet joint steroid injection
• Nerve root block
• Sacroiliac joint injection
• Facet Radiofrequency Rhizotomy Procedure