Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. They may need fast treatment:
- Trouble controlling your bowels or bladder, along with muscle weakness.
- Numbness or tingling in the area that touches the chair when you sit.
- Sharp, shooting pain in your arms or legs, with weakness or trouble moving.
- A history of cancer and sudden, unexplained weight loss.
- Fever, chills, or a recent infection with new back or limb pain.
- Sudden, strong back pain that doesn’t go away when you change positions.
Relief begins with an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms. Your provider may use some or all of the following tests to arrive at an accurate diagnosis:
Some medical terms on your imaging report might sound scary, but many are normal signs of aging—even if you have no pain at all. These include:
- Disc degeneration or bulging.
- Signal or height loss.
- Facet joint changes.
- Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra).
- Annular fissures (small tears in the disc).
If you're unsure what your report means, talk with the doctor who ordered the test.
At MyMichigan Health, we use evidence-based care. We keep up with the latest research and trusted guidelines. This helps us find the safest and most effective treatment for you.
Your provider may suggest one or more of these treatments based on the cause and severity of your symptoms.
Start with Self-Care
Most back and neck pain can get better with simple steps, like:
- Rest or change your daily activities.
- Over-the-counter medicine, like Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen.
- Ice or heat
- Gentle stretching
- Improving your posture when sitting, sleeping, or lifting.
Other Treatments We Offer
- Spine and Pain Program - Treatment plans can include personalized minor procedures or medications.
- Rehabilitation Services including physical therapy and occupational therapy. - Therapy to help you move better and feel stronger.
- Prescribed medications - Oral medications or targeted injections, depending on your condition.
- Vertebroplasty – A special procedure, where doctors fix collapsed vertebrae with bone cement. MyMichigan has trained experts who perform this.
- Neurosurgery – Our board-certified neurosurgeons can perform everything from simple fixes to more complex back surgeries.
- Behavioral Health - Help for managing stress, anxiety, or depression that might make pain worse.
