Back pain affects more than 90 percent of Americans at some point in their life, and with the rise of the internet as a source for information, that means millions of Americans are looking online to learn more about their condition and find the right treatment options. The internet can be a valuable source of information, but how can you know when your back pain has progressed to the point where an in-person consultation with a spine specialist is preferred to passive at-home treatment? In today’s blog, we share some of the telltale signs that it’s time to see a doctor for your spine pain.
Signs You Should See A Back Doctor
This is far from a comprehensive list, but these are some of the more common symptoms that suggest you should consult with an expert about how to best treat your pain condition.
- Incontinence Issues – If back pain is affecting your bladder control or you’re having other incontinence issues, you need to set up an appointment with a back specialist. Left untreated, incontinence problems can cause serious health issues. In many cases, you’re dealing with a nerve or disc issue that can be easily identified by a spine specialist, and treatment can begin the same day.
- Numbness or Weakness – A little pain and discomfort may be manageable for conditions like a back sprain or a muscle spasms, but when symptoms shift towards numbness or muscle weakness, it’s time to visit a spine specialist. These are problems that will only get worse without active treatment, and if too much damage occurs, you may never get back to pre-injury levels of fitness. Contact a back doctor if a back issue is causing muscle weakness or numbness in your spine, hips or extremities.
- Weight Loss – Everybody likes the idea of losing weight, but if you’re dealing with back pain and notice that you’re losing weight and can’t explain why, set up an appointment with a back specialist. Unexplained weight loss alongside back pain could be a sign of a complicated medical issue that is best addressed by a spine doctor. The sooner a diagnosis is made and a treatment course charted, the higher treatment success tends to be.
- Balance Or Gait Problems – Back pain that affects your balance or your gait should be managed by a trained professional. If your balance is compromised by your back pain, you can be at risk for a more serious injury as a result from a fall. Also, if back pain is causing you to change the way you walk to compensate for discomfort, it means you’re channeling additional stress through other areas of your body. This extra stress can lead to hip or knee problems, so have the original pain addressed so more issues don’t follow.
- Affecting Your Quality of Life – This is one of the surest signs that you should seek the assistance of a medical professional. If back pain is affecting your quality of life, or it’s preventing you from doing the daily activities that you love, you need to seek out a specialist. You shouldn’t be resigned to the sidelines or unable to pick up your grandchild because of your back pain. Oftentimes treatment is easier than you think, so if back pain is negatively affecting your daily life, set up a meeting with Dr. Sinicropi.
For more information, or to talk to a back specialist about your spine pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
