Your spinal column and its associated nerves, muscles, and connective tissues support you and allow you to execute a number of complex movements. Unfortunately, your back is also prone to injury and degenerative processes, such as arthritis. If your back isn’t functioning or feeling as it should, don’t wait. In this blog, we will discuss red flags that tell you to see a qualified back doctor.
Causes of Back Pain and Dysfunction
Back pain and its associated movement limitations can be acute or chronic–that is, having a sudden onset or developing over time and lasting for three months or longer. Strains, sprains, fractures, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease are common sources of back pain. Problems may occur anywhere along the back, including the cervical spine, neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, or lower back, and sacrum/coccyx or tailbone area.
People who are at risk for back pain and other symptoms are:
- Of advanced age
- Sedentary
- Struggling with significant weight problems
- Involved in jobs that place stress on the back with motions lifting, reaching, and twisting (particularly when motions are repetitive or involve sudden impact)
Some families are genetically predisposed to back problems, too.
Back pain and movement limitations can be serious, particularly if they persist and dramatically change how you work, play sports, and generally move around. Additionally, if at-home interventions, such as over-the-counter pain medications, heat, ice, and rest, provide little relief, you may have a problem that needs medical care.
Seeing a well-qualified back doctor can help you determine the underlying cause of your back pain. Together, you and your physician can form a treatment plan to address your specific needs and avoid complications.
Red Flags Which Tell You to See a Back Doctor
What are the warning signs of a serious back condition? Here are the top red flags.
Pain Which Persists
How long is too long? See your back doctor if you have persistent pain or loss of normal movement for more than three months. Persistent pain usually impacts how you go about your daily life. So, at this point, it’s important to get a professional evaluation.
Pain Which Worsens Over Time
If your back pain worsens instead of improving, something serious may be developing. This could indicate an underlying condition such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
Loss of Range of Motion
Range of motion is the ability to move your body in different directions, such as bending, twisting, or reaching. While it is not unusual to experience some morning back stiffness (especially as we age), a poor range of motion throughout the day can indicate a back health problem.
Bowel and Bladder Issues
Issues with bladder or bowel function should never be ignored as they can be symptoms of serious conditions such as cauda equina syndrome. Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency that occurs when the nerve roots in the lower spine become compressed. This can lead to loss of bladder and bowel control, as well as severe back pain.
Fever
In some cases, back pain may be accompanied by a fever. This could indicate an infection or inflammation in the body.
Difficulty Performing Daily Tasks
Back pain can affect our daily lives and make simple tasks difficult. If activities, such as dressing, climbing stairs or doing light household chores, become challenging, see your back doctor.
Car or Work Accident
If you have been involved in a serious collision in a motor vehicle, at work, or while playing sports, seek medical attention as soon as possible. While you may be asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, a complete musculoskeletal evaluation is prudent.
Unexpected Symptoms
If your back pain is accompanied by fever, weight loss, swelling, generalized weakness, or problems with bladder or bowel function, see your back doctor.
Numbness or Tingling in Extremities
If you experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet, along with back pain, it could be a sign of nerve compression. This could be a pinched nerve or sciatica and should be addressed by a back doctor.
How Your Back Doctor Can Help
Your back pain doctor has the assessment tools, training, and experience to determine the reasons for your back pain and any related symptoms. He will use imaging, blood work, a hands-on exam, and more to arrive at the right diagnosis.
Treatment at our interventional pain center is highly individualized and may include:
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Interventional pain treatments, such as guided injections, PRP therapy, radio-frequency ablation, and others
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Injection therapies, including nerve blocks
- Lumbar decompression
- Counseling on lifestyle, workplace ergonomics, and nutrition benefits
Your Highly Skilled Back Doctor in Melbourne, FL
At Central Florida Spine & Pain, your interventional pain specialist is Dr. Nicholas Giordano. He and his team will work closely with you to find and employ back pain relief that lasts.
Call us today at (321) 802-5021. We will arrange your personalized consultation, so you know what is happening in your back and what the path to recovery may be. We will be pleased to partner with you in a pain-free life.
