Acute back pain usually comes on suddenly, often after an injury or heavy lifting, and typically lasts a few days to a few weeks. In contrast, chronic back pain persists for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury has healed. Chronic pain may indicate an underlying spinal condition such as disc degeneration, arthritis, or nerve compression.
Understanding the type of back pain you’re experiencing helps determine the right treatment. Dr. Garcia evaluates each patient’s medical history, activity level, and imaging results to identify the cause and develop a plan—ranging from physical therapy and injections to advanced surgical care if necessary.
