Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care — and one of the most undertreated. At Global Pain Management, we have specialized in diagnosing and treating back pain since 2013, helping patients in Pasadena, Kent Island, Columbia, and across Anne Arundel County get back to living their lives.

What is back pain?

Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp sensation that leaves you unable to move. It may be acute (lasting a few days to weeks) or chronic (persisting for three months or more). Common causes include herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, facet joint arthritis, and muscle or ligament strains. The lumbar spine (lower back) is the most frequently affected region, but thoracic and cervical (mid- and upper-back) pain are also common. Left untreated, chronic back pain can significantly impair your daily function, sleep, and overall quality of life.

Common symptoms

• Aching or stiffness along the spine
• Sharp, localized pain after lifting or sudden movement
• Pain that radiates from the back into the buttock or leg (sciatica)
• Inability to stand straight without pain
• Muscle spasms in the lower back
• Decreased range of motion

How we treat back pain

Our approach begins with a thorough evaluation — reviewing your history, conducting a physical exam, and in many cases reviewing imaging. We then build an individualized treatment plan that may include lumbar epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation around compressed nerve roots, medial branch blocks to diagnose and treat facet joint pain, radiofrequency ablation for longer-lasting facet pain relief, trigger point injections for muscle-related pain, medication management, and referrals for physical therapy when appropriate. Our goal is to reduce your pain, restore your function, and avoid unnecessary surgery wherever possible.

Treatment options we may use