Back & Spine Pain
The Neuroscience Institute at Holy Cross, with its expert physicians and supportive staff, are specifically trained to work with patients who suffer from neurological and spine disorders that cause: back pain, headaches, stroke, seizures, and memory loss, to name a few. Our team’s passion for science and compassion for our patients’ well-being are what makes the Neuroscience Institute at Holy Cross so special. Our Spine and Back Care Center can be reached by calling 954-202-BACK (2225).
Back Pain Demystified: Seven Facts You Need to Know
- Eighty percent of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives, and while the majority of cases resolve quickly, 30% recur, according to the North American Spine Society.
- In the U.S., there is an expected 31 million people with lower back pain at any given time.
- Back pain symptoms range from: muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and/or range of motion, inability to stand straight, and/or radiating pain in the legs.
- Acute or short-term back pain can be the result of arthritis or trauma (sports injury, work around the house, or a car accident).
- Chronic back pain, lasting more than 3 months, is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.
- There are approximately 1.2 million spinal surgeries in the U.S. each year.
- Back pain is the number one disability for those under age 45.
If you have back pain we offer you:
- Comprehensive assessment
- Diagnostic tests
- State-of-the-art spine imaging
- Neurophysiology
- Minimally Invasive Inteventional Spine Procedures
- Spine surgery
- Pain management
- Rehabilitation
What to Expect
First, you will have a comprehensive assessment by a neurologist, a pain specialist, and/or a surgeon. Next, you may have spine imaging studies, including X-rays, 3 Tesla MRIs, and/or CT scans of your spine at our state-of-the-art imaging center. These studies will help physicians determine the source of your pain. We may conduct additional physiologic studies, including: nerve conduction studies, electromyogram, and/or evoked potentials. These studies will help us assess the functional status of your nerves, muscles, and spinal cord.
Your doctor will discuss the results and will present your best treatment options. These options may include: medication to manage your pain, spinal injections (epidural blocks), minimally invasive interventional spine procedures, surgery (vertebroplasty, discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion) or physical therapy and rehabilitation - traction, ultrasound therapy, nerve stimulation (TENS). We also offer alternative pain treatment, including: acupuncture and supervised exercise programs.