Back Pain Causes and Expert Care by Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Junaid
Back pain can slow life down, affect sleep, and make even simple tasks feel difficult. The good news is that most causes are treatable when identified early. As Head of Neurosurgery at MMTH, Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Junaid MBBS, FCPS Neurosurgery provides accurate diagnosis and advanced care to help you move without pain and return to your routine with confidence.
Common Causes of Back Pain
Mechanical and lifestyle causes
– Muscle or ligament strain from heavy lifting or sudden movement
– Poor posture while sitting, standing, or driving
– Weak core muscles and deconditioning
– Prolonged desk work without breaks
– Extra body weight that stresses the spine
– Smoking, which reduces blood flow to spinal tissues
Spinal disc and nerve related causes
– Herniated disc when the soft center of a disc presses on a nerve
– Sciatica pain that travels from the lower back down the leg
– Degenerative disc disease age related disc wear that can cause stiffness and pain
Structural changes with aging
– Spinal stenosis narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause leg pain or numbness during walking
– Spondylolisthesis one vertebra slipping over another
– Facet joint arthritis inflammation in the small joints at the back of the spine
– Osteoporotic compression fractures weak bones leading to small spinal fractures
Less common but serious causes
– Spinal infection often with fever and severe pain
– Tumors or cancer that spreads to the spine
– Inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis
– Fractures after significant trauma
– Referred pain from nearby organs including kidneys or pancreas
When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
Seek immediate care if you experience any of the following
– New weakness in the legs or difficulty walking
– Numbness in the groin area or sudden bladder or bowel control problems
– Severe unrelenting pain at night or at rest
– Back pain with fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss
– Back pain after a major fall or accident
– History of cancer with new back pain
How Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Junaid Evaluates Back Pain
A precise diagnosis leads to the most effective treatment. Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Junaid begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, daily activities, and past health history. A focused neurological examination checks muscle strength, sensation, reflexes, and gait to identify nerve involvement.
When needed, imaging helps confirm the cause and guide care
– X rays to assess alignment, arthritis, or fractures
– MRI to visualize discs, nerves, and soft tissues
– CT scans in selected cases for detailed bone views
– Blood tests when infection or inflammatory disease is suspected
– Nerve studies for persistent numbness or weakness
Treatment Options Offered at MMTH
Conservative care
– Activity modification with a gradual return to normal movement
– Guided physiotherapy emphasizing core strength and flexibility
– Ergonomic coaching for desk setup, lifting, and sleep posture
– Heat or cold therapy to ease muscle spasm
– Medications when appropriate including anti inflammatory and nerve pain medicines
– Short term bracing in selected cases
Interventional pain procedures
– Epidural steroid injections to reduce nerve inflammation
– Selective nerve root blocks for diagnostic clarity and pain relief
– Facet joint injections for arthritic back pain
– Radiofrequency ablation for long lasting relief of facet mediated pain
Advanced surgical care when indicated
– Microdiscectomy for nerve compression from a herniated disc
– Decompression procedures such as laminectomy for spinal stenosis
– Minimally invasive stabilization and fusion for instability or spondylolisthesis
– Motion preserving strategies in suitable cases
Surgery is considered only when symptoms persist despite conservative therapy or when urgent nerve compression is present. Every plan is individualized to your needs and goals.
Preventing Future Back Pain
Simple daily habits can lower your risk and protect your spine
– Keep moving with regular walking and low impact exercise
– Strengthen your core and hip muscles two to three times a week
– Practice good posture and adjust your workstation height, chair, and screen
– Lift with your legs, keep objects close to your body, and avoid twisting
– Maintain a healthy weight and stop smoking to support disc health
– Choose a supportive mattress and sleep on your side or back
– Take short standing or stretching breaks every 30 to 45 minutes during desk work
Why Choose Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Junaid at MMTH
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Junaid is a board certified neurosurgeon MBBS, FCPS Neurosurgery and serves as Head of Neurosurgery at MMTH. He combines evidence based practice, modern diagnostics, and minimally invasive techniques to achieve faster recovery, less pain, and better long term results. Patients receive clear explanations, compassionate care, and a plan that fits their lifestyle.
Your Path to Relief Starts Today
Do not let back pain hold you back from work, family, and the activities you enjoy. For expert assessment and treatment, book a consultation with Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Junaid at the MMTH Neurosurgery Department. To schedule an appointment, contact the MMTH appointment desk during working hours or visit the official MMTH website to submit a request. Clinic visits are available on regular working days, and urgent cases are accommodated promptly. Take the first step toward lasting relief and a healthier spine by arranging your visit today.