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The Spine and Its Role

The spine serves as the body’s main support system and protects the spinal cord. It is made up of 33 vertebrae that allow us to stand upright, bend, and move. These vertebrae include the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (lower back) regions, along with the stationary vertebrae of the sacrum and coccyx at the base of the spine.

How Common Are Back Problems?

Nearly 80% of adults will experience significant back pain at some point in their lives. Sometimes, pain results from overuse or injury and may resolve with or without treatment. In other cases, pain is caused by congenital conditions or degenerative changes that may require more advanced care, including surgery.

Causes of Back Pain

Back pain often develops from spinal nerve compression. Common causes include:

  • Arthritic degeneration
  • Herniated discs
  • Muscle, tendon, or ligament strain or tear
  • Vertebral fractures
  • Facet joint compression fractures
  • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)

Less common causes include scoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis, muscular dystrophy, spinal infections, or tumors. Back pain tends to increase with age as conditions like osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis become more frequent.

Diagnosing Back Problems

A combination of exams and tests may be used to diagnose spinal conditions, including:

  • Physical examination
  • Imaging tests (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or bone scan)
  • Arthroscopy
  • Biopsy of muscle or bone lesions
  • Electromyogram (EMG)

Treatment for Back Pain

At Michigan Integrative Health, we evaluate patients to determine candidacy for care. Our approach focuses on drug-free, non-surgical options aimed at addressing the root cause of pain. We accept patients only if, during the exam, they show improvement such as reduced pain, increased joint strength, or greater range of motion.

Disc Problems

The discs between vertebrae cushion the spine and allow smooth movement. When disc material protrudes (disc herniation) or wears down (disc degeneration), symptoms may include radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.

Spinal Stenosis


With age, degeneration can cause bone spurs that narrow the spinal canal, pressing on nerves or the spinal cord and resulting in pain.

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is an abnormal forward curvature of the thoracic spine that creates a hump-like appearance. It is often caused by osteoporosis, but may also result from birth defects or injury.

Surgical Options for Spinal Conditions

  • Discectomy: Removes a damaged disc and bone spurs pressing on nerves; sometimes replaced with an artificial disc.
  • Laminectomy: Removes part of the lamina (the back portion of a vertebra) to relieve pressure from stenosis or herniated discs.
  • Spinal Fusion: Permanently joins two or more vertebrae with bone grafts and metal rods to stabilize the spine.
  • Vertebral Corpectomy: Removes part of a vertebra to relieve spinal cord compression, often followed by bone grafting.