Back Pain (Dorsalgia)

Back pain, or dorsalgia, is a general term for pain in the back that may have various causes and whose origin is unclear at the time of the first visit to a doctor. (The term "dorsalgia" literally means "back pain": from Latin dorsum, back, and Greek algos, pain.) It is not a separate disease but a symptom, a secondary problem that conceals an underlying pathological process that needs treatment.

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints worldwide: most adults experience it at least once in their lives, and it also occurs in children, though less often. Dorsalgia is one of the most frequent reasons for seeing a doctor.

You can undergo treatment of the underlying disease and treatment of back pain in Kyiv at the multidisciplinary CSM Clinic. Our full-cycle medical center offers expert diagnostics with results interpreted by experienced doctors, treatment on specialized equipment under an individually selected therapy program, a comfortable diagnostic and treatment process, empathy and a genuine wish to help.

Symptoms of Back Pain

The clinical signs of back pain depend on where the problem is located.

Neck

If the lesion causing dorsalgia is at the level of the cervical spine, the symptoms are:

• sharp, dull or aching pain that radiates to the shoulder;
• frequent or constant headache centered at the back of the head;
• difficulty bending, turning or making any movement of the neck;
• sometimes numbness and tingling in the hands.

Thoracic Spine

When the lesion is in the part of the spine from the collarbone to the end of the rib cage, back pain symptoms may include:

• tingling (and even spasm) in the chest;
• increased sweating;
• sharp, stabbing, burning or aching pain in the thoracic spine.

Lower Back

Problems in the lumbar spine show up with a clinical picture such as:

• pain that becomes more intense under load;
• numbness and tingling;
• disturbances of urination and defecation;
• pain radiating to the buttocks, the back of the thigh and the lower leg.

Back pain in children does not differ in its symptoms.

Complications and Consequences of Back Pain

The main complications of back pain, if medical help is not sought in time, are as follows:

• because the body is constantly in a state of stress, depression may develop, and quality of life and ability to work may decline;
• pathological processes become chronic;
• the underlying pathology (the condition causing the back pain) progresses;
• surgical treatment may be required;
• the underlying cause of the pain may lead to disability, and so on.

Diagnosing the Cause of Back Pain

To determine the underlying cause of back pain in children and adults, a comprehensive examination is needed. For this, a neurologist may prescribe:

• MRI (at our clinic, the study can be performed on a MAGNETOM Skyra Maximize 3T scanner with a 70 cm bore);
• computed tomography of the bony structures of the spine;
• ECG / heart ultrasound / vascular ultrasound (most often only one of these is prescribed);
• X-ray studies (if MRI and CT are contraindicated);
• laboratory tests (usually blood chemistry and/or a complete blood count).

The doctor determines the necessary type of study individually in each case, based on the patient's history and examination (including palpation).

A neurological examination is also performed, which assesses:

• the posture the patient takes;
• the presence of nerve tension signs;
• the degree of neck stiffness, muscle weakness and tension;
• tenderness on pressure along the nerve, and so on.

In some cases the cause of the pain is not neurological, and the doctor will refer you to another specialist.

Most procedures at CSM Clinic in Kyiv are performed on modern BTL equipment.

Treatment of dorsalgia in children and adults is selected according to age, individual characteristics, diagnosis, any accompanying complications that may be contraindications, and general condition.

Effective treatment of dorsalgia is not possible without establishing the underlying cause of the back pain, because it is necessary to address the source of the pain rather than dorsalgia itself, which is a secondary manifestation of the pathology.

Preventing Back Pain

If the cause of back pain is a chronic disease that can only be controlled but not cured, after treatment is completed you should pay attention to reducing the risk of relapse of the underlying disease and, as a result, of dorsalgia.

To do this, do everything you can to:

• prevent damage to the bone and joint segments of the spine;
• avoid excessive physical loads;
• avoid getting chilled;
• lead a healthy lifestyle with enough physical activity;
• prevent excess weight or, if you already have it, bring your weight to a healthy range.

You should also include a back health check-up in your plans. A routine examination every 6 months is advisable.

Benefits of Back Pain Treatment at the Clinic

1. CSM Clinic in Kyiv is a full-cycle private hospital where you can undergo expert diagnostics with results interpreted by experienced doctors, quality treatment, comprehensive therapy and prevention of possible consequences.
2. Doctors with extensive clinical experience and a high level of empathy.
3. Expert-level diagnostic and treatment equipment.
4. A personalized approach: our specialists will draw up a diagnostic and treatment program for your specific case and complaints.
5. Reasonable cost of medical services.

Not sure which doctor treats back pain? Looking for a good neurologist who will make the right diagnosis and help not only relieve the back pain but also treat the condition that causes it? The specialists of CSM Clinic in Kyiv are ready to help, including patients with complex cases. By choosing us, you choose quality expert diagnostics and treatment on modern equipment. Residents and visitors of the Kyiv region can visit our medical center in Bila Tserkva, which offers a comfortable hotel on the clinic grounds, quality diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation, and the highest feasible level of safety during air raid alerts. Entrust your health to professionals!