Spine & Back Pain

Spine and back pain can develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse or injury. Problems and symptoms often occur during sports or recreation activities, work-related tasks or home projects.

The back is made of the bones and joints of the spine (vertebrae), the discs that separate the vertebrae and absorb shock as you move and the muscles and ligaments that hold the spine together. Back pain can cause problems anywhere from the neck to the tailbone (coccyx). 

Back and spine injuries are the leading cause of back pain. These injuries often result from activities such as lifting heavy objects, falls, accidents, direct blows to the back or the top of the head or penetrating injuries like stab wounds. Factors that increase the risk of back pain and injury include age, a family history of back pain, prolonged sitting and certain health conditions, such as degenerative diseases like osteoporosis. Poor posture can exacerbate pain and may indicate other conditions, such as issues with a disc or the bones in your back.

The Montefiore Einstein Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will create a custom recovery plan for your specific diagnosis. Recovery typically includes physical therapy, home exercise programs designed for your injury and non-opioid pain management regimens. Our experts specialize in diagnosing and treating many types of spine and back pain, some of which are listed below. You can find more information about each by selecting its page from the menu on the left.

• Facet arthritis
• Neck pain
• Radiculopathy (sciatica)
• Sacroiliac joint pain
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolysis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spondylosis