Back Pain Specialist

What causes back pain?

Most of the time, back pain is caused by an injury to one of the intricate structures that make up your back. Age-related changes to your spine can also increase your susceptibility to back pain.

You tend to place a lot of pressure and strain on your back, especially when you lift heavy objects or perform twisting motions. This can result in any number of mechanical tweaks to the spine, ligaments, muscles, discs, tendons, and nerves.

Back pain usually results from one of the following:

• Muscle or ligament sprain or strain
• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica or other pinched nerves
• Spinal stenosis
• Fracture
• Arthritis

When should I see a doctor about back pain?

Most men and women experience mild back pain that goes away after a few days of rest. However, you don’t want to let back pain progress to intolerable levels before you see a doctor. Early treatment usually results in a more favorable response.

The following should prompt you to make an appointment with Dr. Remi Ajiboye:

• Pain, tingling or numbness in the buttocks or legs
• Back pain that starts after an injury or accident
• Severe or worsening back pain
• Pain that doesn’t go away after a few days of self-care measures
• Loss of function

If you develop a fever or lose bowel or bladder function in conjunction with back pain, you should seek medical attention right away.

What treatments are available for back pain?

Dr. Ajiboye designs a personalized treatment plan after speaking with you and conducting a thorough examination. He promotes using the most conservative treatments that prove effective for you.

He may recommend trying the following before suggesting surgery:

• Medications such as anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxant
• Hot/cold therapy
• Activity modification
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Acupuncture
• Injection or nerve block therapy

Depending on the exact cause of your back pain and if your pain doesn’t go away with these less invasive treatments or your injury is severe, Dr. Ajiboye may suggest minimally invasive spine surgery.

Dr Remi Ajiboye is a minimally invasive spine specialist serving Torrance, El Segundo, Long Beach, and the surrounding communities of South Bay, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Lomita, San Pedro, Carson, Lawndale, Gardena, Hawthorne, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Culver City, Inglewood, Ladera Heights, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Los Alamitos, Westminster, Garden Grove, Lakewood, Cerritos, Bellflower, Downey, Paramount, Bellflower, Norwalk, Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, Tustin, Fullerton, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and greater Los Angeles county and Orange County. Contact Remi Ajiboye, MD, online or over the phone to set up an appointment.