BACK PAIN
Back pain is a part of life. Nearly everyone develops some kind of back problem at some point – and often multiple times throughout life. In most cases the pain is not serious and resolves fairly quickly. But there are times when the pain is quite intense and does not go away on its own.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about back pain. Understanding the realities of this painful but very manageable condition will prepare you to face it head on and win!
The Good News and Bad News about Back Pain
First the bad news – back pain can hurt a lot! (A no brainer for anyone who has had it).
Now the good news – there’s a lot that can be done! We all have known or heard about people who have become chronic back pain sufferers, but that is rarely inevitable! In other words, long term back pain does not “just happen” in certain unlucky people. There is much that can be done to “nip it in the bud” and prevent it from ever becoming chronic. And even if it has already become chronic, there are almost always things that can be done to improve it.
How do you know when you have a back problem that requires medical attention?
It is not always necessary to consult a doctor right away when you get back pain – as stated earlier, most of the time it is nothing serious and will go away quickly. Here are a couple of things to consider:
• Ice and heat can help.
There is no strict rule about ice or heat when it comes to back pain. Try one or the other (or alternate) and see what works for you.
• Walk and stretch if you can.
Bed rest for more than a day or two is not recommended, as gentle movement is the most useful thing.
However, there are times in which you should seek appropriate medical care when you have a back problem.
Here are some general guidelines to help you decide. You might want to seek medical attention if you experience:
• Pain that is severe and that lasts more than two or three days
• Pain that interferes with your ability to work
• Pain that runs down one or both legs
• Pain that is accompanied by numbness, tingling or weakness in your legs
• Pain that is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
• Back pain that is accompanied by abdominal pain
If you experience any of the above, seeking medical attention is likely a good idea. But who?
A good first step is to see your primary care practitioner or a Primary Spine Practitioner (PSP). A PSP is a chiropractor or physical therapist trained in the diagnosis and management of patients with back and neck problems. There are only a few certified Primary Spine Practitioners in Rhode Island, and one is here at Ortho Rhode Island!
The PSP will get detailed information and do a focused examination to diagnose the problem. The PSP will then recommend the best ways to get you back to normal as quickly as possible. The recommendations usually involve minimally invasive, minimally time-consuming approaches, many of which you can do for yourself. More involved interventions will be recommended only when necessary.
The following RARE situations should alert you to visit the emergency room:
• Pain after a high-impact car crash or a bad fall
• Pain that is accompanied by high fever
• Back pain that is accompanied by numbness in your groin area
• Back pain that is accompanied by difficulty with bowel or bladder control that you didn’t have before
