Flower Mound Back Pain Doctor
Back pain that keeps coming back can change how you work, sleep, and move, and rest or over-the-counter medicine does not always settle it. A Flower Mound back pain doctor trained in pain medicine works to find the structure behind the pain, such as a disc, a facet joint (one of the small joints that link the vertebrae), or a pinched nerve, and treats that source with medication, therapy, or minimally invasive procedures.
Much of that treatment happens right in our Flower Mound office, where care at Pain & Spine Physicians is led by physicians board-certified in pain medicine, which means they completed fellowship training in pain medicine after residency. With same-day appointments available, you can call (972) 350-0225 or contact us to schedule a visit.
Why Patients Choose Pain & Spine Physicians for Back Pain
Getting treated where you are evaluated saves you time and extra trips. Our office at 3001 Cross Timbers Road has an on-site procedure suite with imaging guidance, so the injections and nerve ablations used for back pain are done in the same building, with no drive to a separate facility. Keeping that care in-house also helps hold down your cost.
For many patients, these in-office procedures offer a safer alternative to traditional spine surgery and a faster recovery. Sedation is available for pain-relieving injections. When your plan includes physical therapy or chiropractic care, we coordinate with those providers so your treatment stays connected. Our care also looks beyond the spine itself, with behavioral health programs available when pain starts to affect sleep, mood, or daily life.
When Should You See a Back Pain Doctor?
Most people with back pain find relief within six weeks, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Pain that lasts longer than that, keeps returning, or spreads into one or both legs or arms is worth having evaluated. How long back pain should last before seeing a doctor also depends on what is causing it, so some pain calls for a visit well before six weeks.
Some symptoms need prompt attention. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, advises contacting a provider right away for back pain with:
- Loss of control over urine or stool
- Weakness or numbness in the buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis
- Unexplained fever, or redness or swelling on the back or spine
- Pain after a severe blow or fall, or a history of cancer
- Pain that travels below the knee, wakes you at night, or gets worse when you lie down
Who Treats Back Pain?
Several kinds of providers treat back pain, and each has a different focus. NIAMS describes them this way:
| Provider | Focus in back pain care |
| Pain medicine physician (our physicians) | Physicians, including anesthesiologists, with training in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating all types of pain |
| Orthopaedist | Treats and performs surgery for bone and joint diseases |
| Neurosurgeon | Performs surgery for disorders of the spine, brain, and nerves |
| Physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation physician) | Treats disorders of the spine, brain, and nerves |
| Physical therapist | Focuses on movement and strengthening muscles |
Back Conditions We Treat
Our physicians treat many sources of back pain, including:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet joint osteoarthritis (wear and tear in those joints)
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spaces inside the spine)
- Sciatica (pain that travels along the sciatic nerve into the leg)
- Pinched nerves in the lower back
- Failed back surgery syndrome (ongoing pain after spine surgery)
Back Pain Treatment Options
Procedures we use for back pain include:
- Epidural steroid injections
- Facet joint injections
- Medial branch blocks
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Kyphoplasty
What Happens at Your First Visit?
A first visit is about finding the source of your pain, since the right treatment depends on it. It usually follows these steps:
- History: A detailed conversation about your pain and how it affects your day
- Exam: Tests of strength, reflexes, flexibility, and the movements that reproduce your pain
- Imaging: A review of any scans you bring, or an order for updated imaging or nerve studies
- Plan: An explanation of what is likely causing your pain and the options for treating it
It helps to bring a photo ID, your insurance card, and a referral form if your plan requires one. Knowing what to expect at your first pain management appointment ahead of time can also make the day feel more familiar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain Care
Does Insurance Cover a Visit to a Back Pain Doctor?
Coverage depends on your plan. Our office is in network with most insurance plans and Medicare, and the plans we take are listed on our accepted insurance page.
Will I Need Surgery for Back Pain?
Not usually as a first step. NIAMS notes that surgery for back pain may be suggested if all other treatments have not relieved the pain, and that research shows surgery can help people with herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis (a vertebra slipping out of place).
Does Radiofrequency Ablation Require General Anesthesia?
No. Radiofrequency ablation for back pain does not require general anesthesia, and it involves no surgery or incision. A thin needle is guided to the small nerves that carry the pain signal, and downtime is minimal.
Schedule a Visit With a Flower Mound Back Pain Doctor
Living with back pain wears on every part of the day, and you do not have to sort out the next step alone. Pain & Spine Physicians offers same-day appointments, so you can get answers soon. Call (972) 350-0225 or contact us today to see a Flower Mound back pain doctor.