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What Your Back Pain Might Be Telling You
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Millions of us suffer from back pain. In fact, it’s one of the most common health problems in the United States. From a steady, dull throbbing to a sharp, sudden pain that radiates down your leg, there’s a wide range of ways you might experience it — and an even wider range of ways it can happen.
Whether your pain developed suddenly after a fall or progressed slowly from age-related changes, the result is the same: symptoms that interfere with your daily life. That’s why it’s important to let a specialist take a closer look, so you can better understand your options and work together to build a treatment plan.
Causes of back pain symptoms
Almost everyone will experience back pain at some time in their life. Several factors can contribute to back pain, including your:
Age
Diet
Family history
Fitness level
Job-related risk
Stress level
Weight
When to see a doctor about your back pain symptoms
Plan to see your doctor right away if you have pain that doesn’t improve after a few weeks, or if you have these symptoms:
Back pain after a fall or injury
Fever, which can be a sign of discitis or an epidural abscess
Numbness and tingling
Severe back pain that medicine doesn’t help
Trouble urinating
Unplanned weight loss
Weakness
Treatment for back pain
The right treatment depends on the cause of your pain. Your doctor will do a full exam, which may include X-rays and scans, to better pinpoint what’s causing your pain and how best to treat it. An accurate diagnosis is essential as many different structural problems can give similar and often overlapping symptoms.
In some cases, you can improve back pain with lifestyle changes, such as staying active to increase strength and balance. You could also work to maintain a healthy body weight to lower stress on your back.
Traditional and complementary treatments
Your doctor may suggest traditional treatments such as muscle relaxers or numbing injections.
Your provider may also suggest complementary approaches such as acupuncture, spinal manipulation, Tai chi or yoga.
When you may need surgery for back pain
Conservative therapy, including physical therapy, is effective in nearly 80 percent of cases. If physical therapy and other traditional or complementary treatments are not providing relief, surgery may be an option to help alleviate your back pain.
Surgical approaches range from minimally invasive procedures to more complex open operations, and an experienced surgeon can partner with you to develop a personalized treatment plan aligned with your overall health and wellness goals. In about 20 percent of cases, sacroiliac, or SI, fusion may be the most effective way to relieve back pain and restore stability.
What is SI fusion?
The SI joint is where the spine and pelvis meet. SI fusion makes the SI joint more stable since it, like any joint, can break down over time or because of an injury. The result is often a painful lower back.
Your neurosurgeon will make a small incision and use an implant system to stabilize and fuse the SI joint to prevent ongoing pain. The procedure is designed to help you recover faster with fewer complications and better outcomes.
SI fusion is a minimally invasive surgery that has a very high success rate. After surgery, patients typically recover in about three weeks using a walker or crutch. Most don’t need physical therapy during this time.
Expert care for your back pain is within reach
If you haven’t been able to find relief from back pain, ask your doctor if the pain could be related to your SI joints. If you are diagnosed with an SI joint condition, please contact Christopher Taleghani, MD at 443-451-4994.
Authors
Christopher Taleghani, MD, has performed more than 500 sacroiliac joint fusion procedures, making him one of the most experienced minimally invasive spine surgeons in the world. He is an invited lecturer, educator, and innovator in the development and advancement of minimally invasive surgical techniques.
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Provider
Sedonna Brown, NP
121125146
Sedonna Brown, CRNP, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She began her nursing career working in critical care and the emergency department and has served in a variety of clinical and administrative nursing roles at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center since 1994. Sedonna earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Johns Hopkins University . She received a Master of Science in nursing education from Bowie State University and a Master of Science in nursing from the family nurse practitioner program at Frostburg State University . She also earned a doctorate in education leadership from University of Maryland Eastern Shore . In addition to caring for patients, Sedonna is passionate about education and has served as faculty at several Maryland colleges and universities. She currently serves as an adjunct associate professor at University of Maryland Global Campus . Sedonna lives in Talbot County with her two sons. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering, traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners | Family Nurse Practitioner
Graduate - Frostburg State University
English
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Why Depend on Us for Spine Rehabilitation?We're dedicated to getting you back on your feet as safely and quickly as possible from your back injury or spine surgery. You should choose us because:We're part of one of Maryland's top spine surgery programs. That kind of volume gives us a wealth of experience guiding patients like you through recovery.Our physical therapists specialize in spinal conditions. Helping people with a spinal condition achieve optimal results is our sole focus. Because of that narrow focus, our physical therapists are experts in all aspects of recovery, whether it's for a new injury, chronic condition or surgical recovery. For surgical recovery, we advise you on wound care, post-operative precautions and how to safely resume activity following surgery. No matter your condition , we customize a rehab program specifically for you. Altogether, this gives you the best chance of reaching your goals.We'll work seamlessly with the rest of your care team. Our physical therapists stay in touch with your referring provider or your surgeon if you have spinal surgery. This ensures you get the most appropriate care during each stage of your recovery. If you have surgery, we can securely send photos of your incision to your surgeon through your electronic chart. We also work closely with the nurse navigator who coordinates your care. We know communication between patient and the entire care team is pivotal to ensure optimal recovery.We have clinics in many locations. With clinics located throughout the area, you won't have to travel far for appointments.
Condition
Conditions/Services/Treatments Page
Spinal Conditions
Luminis Health Physical Therapy uses treatments from manual therapy to a range of exercises for people with spinal conditions. We treat patients who need physical therapy for new conditions, chronic conditions and surgical recovery.Physical Therapy for Spinal Conditions at Luminis HealthOur physical therapists help you strengthen the muscles that support your spine. We also help you avoid nerve pain and other nerve symptoms. We respond to your unique needs, goals and lifestyle. Our goal is to help you be the best you.We're trained in several internationally renowned approaches, from the McKenzie Method to neural mobilization. We draw from a variety of evidence-based techniques, perfecting your program based on how you respond.We increase your range of movement, increase your strength and stop your pain at the source. We work with you to find out your goals and help you achieve them.Your physical therapist team helps guide you every step of the way through your rehab process and cheers on each new accomplishment!
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Provider
Courtney Doyle, MD
88671
Dr. Doyle is a board-certified, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon. After completing her general surgery residency at Indiana University, she completed her Advanced Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship here at Luminis Health. Dr. Doyle contributes over four hundred procedures a year to Luminis Health's nationally accredited Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. The program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons and is distinguished as a Level 1 facility for the standard of care. Dr. Doyle has extensive knowledge and expertise in all types of bariatric surgery, including the sleeve gastrectomy, the gastric bypass, and revision surgery for weight regain or complications from previous bariatric surgeries. In addition to providing excellent care to her patients, Dr. Doyle has an interest in furthering research in the bariatric surgery field along with staying up to date on emerging trends. Dr. Doyle provides knowledge and compassion, allowing her patients to become their best self.
American Board of Surgery | Surgery (General Surgery)
Fellowship - Anne Arundel Medical Center, Residency - Indiana University School of Medicine, Medical School - Indiana University School of Medicine-Indianapolis
English
Bariatric Surgery
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Provider
Waseem Hussain, MD
78761
Dr. Waseem Hussain is a primary care physician who is board certified in Family Medicine. He also serves as Luminis' Associate Regional Medical Director for Primary Care. He currently accepts patients starting at age 16. In 2007, he received the honorary degree of fellow from the American Association of Family Physicians for his years of teaching and community service. Dr. Hussain’s expertise is in all areas of family medicine including intense management of neurologic, pulmonary and cardiac diseases as well as diabetes and gynecologic care. He has won the Washingtonian Magazine's Top Doc award 3 times and in 2020 won the Doctors Community Medical Center Physicians Passion for Caring Award. He has been with Luminis Health Primary Care in Lanham (a.k.a Metropolitan Medical Specialists) since 2009 and in private practice since 1999.
American Medical Association's Physician Recognition Award, Castle Connelly's Top Doctor Award, Washingtonian Magazine's Top Doctor Award
American Board of Family Medicine | Family Medicine
Internship - MacNeal Hospital, Residency - MacNeal Hospital, Medical School - University of Maryland School of Medicine
English
Family Medicine
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