Back Pain Specialist
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Indiana Spine Group
Jonathan Gentile, MD
Pain Management Physician & Anesthesiologist located in Carmel, Indianapolis, & Kokomo, IN
Almost everyone experiences back pain at some point during their life. Though the severity and duration of back pain vary, the discomfort may have a significant effect on your quality of life. At Indiana Spine Group in Carmel, Kokomo, and Indianapolis, Indiana, pain management physician Jonathan Gentile, MD, offers many innovative treatments for the management of acute and chronic back pain. To get relief from your back pain, call the office or book an appointment online today.
Back Pain Q&A
What is back pain?
Back pain may affect any part of your back, but most often occurs in the lower back, and it may be acute or chronic.
Acute back pain
Acute back pain develops quickly and unexpectedly and usually resolves within a few days or a few weeks.
Chronic back pain
Chronic back pain refers to back pain that lasts three or more months. This type of pain may initially start out as acute back pain, but your pain continues long after your initial injury heals.
Dr. Gentile at Indiana Spine Group has specific expertise in diagnosing and treating acute and chronic back pain.
What causes back pain?
Back pain may develop from any number of causes. However, mechanical problems related to the structure and function of the back are the most common, which includes:
- Strains and sprains
- Arthritis
- Disc degeneration
- Spinal stenosis
- Skeletal irregularities
- Osteoporosis
- Sciatica
- Herniated disc
- Radiculopathy
- Neuropathy
As noted, your back pain may develop after an unexpected injury that causes a strain, sprain, or herniated disc. However, you may also develop back pain from the degenerative changes that occur to the components that make up your spine as you get older.
What happens during a back pain evaluation?
Dr. Gentile specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of back pain. When you come in for an evaluation at Indiana Spine Group, Dr. Gentile conducts an in-depth clinical exam to fully understand the root cause of your pain.
During your evaluation, Dr. Gentile reviews your symptoms, when they started, and the underlying cause of your pain (if known). He reviews your medical history and conducts a physical exam.
To confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis, Dr. Gentile runs diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, blood work, or nerve conduction studies.
How is back pain treated?
At Indiana Spine Group, Dr. Gentile takes an individualized approach to manage back pain. The specifics of your treatment plan depend on the severity of your pain and the underlying cause.
At Indiana Spine Group, you have access to the exceptional pain management services of Dr. Gentile as well as a team of experienced staff surgeons and therapists to optimize care and provide the best possible treatment. Your plan may include:
- Activity modification
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Pain medication
- Injections
- Spinal cord stimulation
Indiana Spine Group also performs the Intracept® Procedure, which is a minimally invasive (non-surgical) treatment for lumbar spine pain from degenerative disc disease. It uses radiofrequency energy to ablate (destroy) the nerve causing your pain.
The practice participated in the initial studies for the new nerve ablation procedure, and it is the first in the area to offer this innovative treatment for chronic back pain.
You may also qualify to participate in an investigative study of a new treatment for back pain when available. Dr. Gentile can offer more information during your consultation.
For relief from your back pain, call Indiana Spine Group, or book an appointment online today.
