1840 Medical Center Parkway | Seton Building, Suite 200 | Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Call Now: (615) 849-7490
1840 Medical Center Parkway | Seton Building, Suite 200 | Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Call Now: (615) 849-7490
Back and Neck Pain Center
Unique, Customized Care for Your Back and Neck Pain
There are different ways to hurt your back and neck, and different ways to treat them. That’s why the physicians of the Back and Neck Pain Center are here to provide personalized care for your needs. The Back and Neck Pain Center is conveniently located in the same office as Murfreesboro Vascular & Interventional.
The Center offers same day appointments with comprehensive medical treatments for chronic and acute back and neck pain including ultrasound, physical therapy, pain blocking medications and more. Back and neck treatment should be customized to your needs. The clinicians at the Back and Neck Pain Center are specialists at diagnosing and developing treatment plans based on an individual’s analysis. So, you get exactly what your body needs to heal. Nothing more, nothing less.
Got Back Pain?
You are not alone. In fact, low back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to their primary care doctor and is a leading cause of missed work. Some studies suggest that approximately 80% of all people will experience low back pain at some point in their life. Back pain can vary in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, stabbing or shooting pain. It can begin quickly as a result of an accident or by lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time as we age.
There are two types of back pain:
- Acute, or short-term back pain that lasts a few days to a few weeks. This is the most common type of low back pain. It will usually resolve on its own within a few days with self-treatment and there is no permanent loss of function. In some cases a few months are necessary for the symptoms to disappear.
- Chronic back pain is defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated. A portion of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with residual symptoms lasting one year or more. Even if pain continues, it does not necessarily mean there is a medically serious underlying cause or one that can be easily identified and treated. In some cases, treatment can relieve chronic low back pain, but in other cases pain may continue even with medical and surgical treatment.
Structure of the Back
The human back is comprised of a complex network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs, and bones, all of which work together to support the body and allow us to move around. The lower back is the most common site of back pain. It includes the five vertebrae in the lumbar region (labeled as L1-L5), which supports much of the weight of the upper body. The vertebrae, or bones, of the spine are held together by bands of tissue called ligaments. Tendons connect the muscles of the back to its bones. Each of the bony segments of the spine is separated by a cartilage–like cushion called an intervertebral disc. This is what people refer to when they speak of a ruptured or herniated disc. The spinal cord travels down the column created by the interlocking bones. At each connecting point of the bones, a pair of nerves exits the spinal column and travels into the arms, midsection or legs. These nerves coordinate body movements and send signals from the body back to the brain. Damage or trauma to any of these structures can be a cause of back pain. However, in some cases, the underlying cause of back pain may remain unclear.
Causes of Back Pain
Some activities that can lead to strains or spasms are preventable and include:
- lifting very heavy objects
- using improper lifting techniques
- making sudden and awkward movements
Unfortunately, many times back pain is not preventable and can come without warning or injury. This may be a result of a structural problem such as:
- Ruptured/herniated discs: If the disc between the vertebra ruptures there will be more pressure on a nerve, causing back or leg pain.
- Bulging/protruding discs: Similarly to a ruptured disc, a bulging disk can cause more pressure being put on a nerve.
- Sciatica: A sharp and stabbing pain that runs through the buttock and down the back of the leg, caused pressure on a nerve in the back.
- Spinal Stenosis: This is a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord or the opening for the nerves that run into the arms and legs. This usually causes a sense of fatigue or heaviness in the legs.
- Spondylolisthesis: This occurs when a vertebra of the spine shifts out of place, putting pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves exiting the spinal column.
- Scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis: These are different types of abnormal curvatures of the spine that can cause excessive pressure and strain on the joints of the back.
- Osteoporosis: The vertebrae of the spine can become brittle and weak, making them more susceptible to fractures.
The spine, just like all other parts of the body will naturally face wear and tear through time. This however can be accelerated through different factors including smoking, obesity, and excessive stress on the spine.
Some common sources of pain from degeneration include:
- Intervertebral disc degeneration (degenerative disc disease): This occurs when the usually cushiony discs wear down as a normal process of aging and lose their shock absorbing ability.
- Spondylosis: The general term for degeneration of the spine and joints associated with normal wear and tear as people get older.
- Arthritis: Just like arthritis causes pain in the joints of the fingers, hips, and knees, the intervertebral joints of the spine can be affected.
- Inflammation: The sacroiliac (SI) joints are a common site of inflammation resulting from twisting or from putting too much pressure on the pelvis
Non-Spine Sources of Back Pain
Kidney stones | Fibromyalgia | Tumors
Pregnancy | Infection
Schedule an Appointment Today
Here at the Back and Neck Pain Center, we are familiar with the many different types and causes of back pain. We understand that back pain can be debilitating and puts pressure not only on your body, but also on your mind and every other part of your life. We are here to help diagnose and manage your back pain through our range of treatment options. We also work closely with a group of neurosurgeons in the event your condition leads to surgical treatment. Check out our blog for information about different modes of treatment, or give us a call at 615.849.7490 to make an appointment for an evaluation today.
Call NowMeet Your Back & Neck Pain Provider
Jeffrey Kelley, PA
Jeffrey is a board certified Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
He has a background in neurological surgery, and his clinical interests include:
- Treatment of acute back and neck pain
- Spinal stenosis
- Cervical and lumbar radiculopathy
- Compression fractures
- Degenerative conditions of the spine
- Peripheral vascular disease
He graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Trevecca Nazarene University Master’s Program of Physician Assistant Studies in Nashville, Tennessee. He worked for 10 years with Mid State Neurosurgery in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Jeffrey is married and has three children. His personal interests include walking and spending time with family, as well as gardening and landscaping around his home.
