Its an inevitable fact about aging: Sooner or later, your back is likely to act up. In fact, back pain affects eight out of every 10 Americans at some point in their lives, according to the National Institutes of Health. Its more common in older individuals, and arthritis often is the culprit. "If youre not responsive to traditional treatments, these may be things to investigate, but it should be a team effort between you and your doctor to determine which treatment you may be a candidate for," says Russell DeMicco, DO, a staff member at Cleveland Clinics Center for Spine Health. A number of underlying conditions can cause back pain. Besides muscle strain, common culprits include degenerative discs, facet-joint arthritis, spinal stenosis, and fibromyalgia. The underlying cause of your back pain determines whether one of the newer treatments can help ease your discomfort.
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