Back pain sends tens of millions of Americans to the doctor’s office each year, and each one of these patients will be looking for the right treatment to put an end to their discomfort. For some, this happens with rest and some small lifestyle adjustments. For others, a surgical operation is required to help them regain as much strength and function as possible. So how do you know what’s the best way to treat your spine, and do you really need to visit a spine specialist in order to treat your back discomfort? We answer those questions in today’s blog.
Is It Worth It To Visit A Spine Specialist?
If you’re dealing with back pain, how can you know if you can treat the issue on your own or with the help of your general practitioner, or if you should visit a spine specialist? To be honest, there is no perfect playbook for answering that question. For many mild cases of back pain, you may be able to find relief by practicing some smart conservative care techniques at home and by taking over-the-counter medications. Other types of injuries are best treated by the expert hands of a specialist. So how can you know if it’s worth your time and money to visit a specialist?
If any of the following symptoms or scenarios are true, it may be best to sync up with a specialist instead of pursuing other methods:
- Prolonged Pain – If days of spinal discomfort have become weeks of spine pain, don’t ignore it any longer. Treat it by consulting with a spine specialist.
- Significant Pain – If you’re in severe pain, or pain seems to be getting worse over time, it’s a sign that you should connect with a back specialist.
- Affecting Your Gait Or Balance – If you find that back pain is making it difficult to walk normally or remain upright, set up an appointment with a specialist.
- No Direct Cause – If pain or other symptoms have seemed to develop out of nowhere and you can’t pinpoint why you might be dealing with back pain, it’s a good idea to get an exam at the hands of a specialist.
- Treatment is Ineffective – Don’t keep pursuing certain treatments if they aren’t yielding results. Instead, visit a specialist who can give you an individualized treatment plan based on an in-person exam.
While these are some of the signs and signals that you could benefit from connecting with a spine specialist, they are far from the only reasons. For example, if you’re interested in making the fastest recovery possible so that you can return to work or athletic activity, it’s in your best interest to talk to a back specialist. They’ll listen to your concerns, conduct a physical exam, take imaging tests and develop a treatment plan that gets you back to doing the physical activities you love as soon as possible.
When you want the best care for your body and your back, it’s important that you trust your care to someone with a deep knowledge of the spine. A general practitioner has a wide breadth of knowledge, but you’ll likely find better results by going with someone who has a thorough understanding of the complex nature of the spine. So if you’re looking for someone who can provide you with this level of care in the Greater Twin Cities area, look no further than Dr. Sinicropi and the team at the Midwest Spine & Brain Institute.
