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Back Pain Specialist

Premier Spine Institute Bonaventure Ngu, MD Our Services Back Pain

Premier Spine Institute

Bonaventure Ngu, MD

Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon located in The Woodlands, TX & Humble, TX

According to the National Institutes of Health, around 80% of adults suffer from back pain at some point during their lives. Dr. Bonaventure Ngu, a leading orthopaedic spine surgeon and medical director of Premier Spine Institute in The Woodlands and Humble, Texas, treats your back pain so you can return to your normal activities. You don’t have to suffer from back pain anymore: Contact Dr. Ngu by calling or using the online appointment form.

Back Pain Q&A

 

Why do I have back pain?

Your spinal column is made up of bony vertebrae and discs, the former of which prevent bones from rubbing against one another. Your back also contains multiple ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves; any of these structures may be at the root of your back pain.

Your back pain can originate in one or more areas of your spine:

  • Thoracic spine: mid back, attached to your ribs
  • Lumbar spine: lower back
  • Sacrum: behind your pelvis
  • Lumbosacral spine: lower back, sacrum, and tailbone

What are some common causes of back pain?

Back pain tends to increase with age, as the cushiony discs between your spine degenerate and the supporting muscles and tendons weaken. Some of the most common reasons behind back pain include:

  • Sprained ligaments
  • Strained tendons or muscles
  • Herniated discs
  • Sciatica


Less common causes of back pain are tumors and kidney stones. Some infections also trigger back pain.

What are the risk factors for back pain?

You’re more likely to develop back pain as you age and lose strength in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support your spine. Aging can degrade your bone’s protective cartilage layers, leading to osteoarthritis. Some activities and lifestyle choices that may aggravate back pain include:

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Being pregnant
  • Lifting heavy objects with back muscles
  • Performing manual labor
  • Carrying loads on your back, including backpacks


Genetics play a role in back pain and other types of pain. You may also have been born with or developed skeletal abnormalities, such as scoliosis.

How does an orthopaedic spine surgeon treat back pain?

Depending on your needs, Dr. Ngu may recommend over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control pain and swelling, in addition to physical therapy to strengthen and stretch your back muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

He may also give you epidural steroid injections and prescribe other medications that alleviate pain and swelling. Epidural steroid injections can relieve pain for months at a time.

In some cases, Dr. Ngu may recommend minimally invasive endoscopic surgery to repair or replace vertebral discs or correct misaligned vertebrae and other abnormalities. He follows the LES (less exposure surgery) treatment options to minimize trauma and improve outcomes.


When you’re ready to improve your quality of life and leave back pain behind for good, contact Dr. Ngu for a consultation. You can book one online using the handy form or by calling his friendly staff at a nearby Premier Spine Institute location.

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