Tests & Treatments at University of Colorado Hospital
Tests for Back Pain
History and Physical Examination
Your doctor will ask you questions about your daily activities and previous injuries and illnesses. He or she also will test your range of motion and feel the area that is painful to locate the source.
X-rays
An X-ray examination helps to show breaks or defects in the bones of the back.
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
A CT scan shows damage to muscles and other soft tissues.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
An MRI test shows three-dimensional pictures of the muscles and other soft tissues.
Electromyogram (EMG)
An EMG is a test used to record the electrical activity in the muscles. It detects any nerve damage that may be causing back pain.
Treatments for Back Pain
Your primary care doctor will treat your back pain conservatively. Conservative treatments include:
- Rest
- Ice packs to control swelling
- Medications to reduce inflammation and control pain
- Exercise to strengthen the back muscles
- Heat pads to relieve muscle spasms
If your back pain persists, your primary care doctor may refer you to a specialist for further treatment. These treatments include:
Steroid injections
Steroid injections are used to reduce inflammation and pain. However, they do not treat the direct source of the pain.
Electrical Nerve Stimulation
Delivering a mild electrical current to the nerves can help to relieve pain. Doctors administer the current through electrodes attached to a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) unit.
Back Surgery
Back pain caused by irritation in the spine joints (facet joints) can be treated with a procedure called a rhizotomy. The neurosurgeon inserts a heated electrode into the joint. The electrode deadens the nerves, stopping the transmission of pain.
Your doctor will recommend back surgery only if:
- Conservative treatment has failed
- The specific source of the pain has been found