Health

When to Seek Medical Care for Back Pain

2 Mins read

Back pain may seem normal until it lasts for some days and affects your daily schedule. You do not want to miss your workout or that important meeting if there is a way out, right? Back pain may result from various issues; the fact that it’s common may make you think it’s not serious. You may choose to relieve the pain, but having a thorough diagnosis will give the best results. San Antonio back pain specialists at Castle Hills Family Practice offer unique and high-quality care for pain, among other health issues to enhance healthy living. This piece will provide you with details about back pain.

When is back pain a problem?

It’s common to experience back pain now and then, but usually, it goes away sometimes, even without treatment. But that does not mean you have to bear the pain if it lasts for more than a few days.

You must seek professional medical care when your back pain lasts longer than usual and have the following.

·         Intense back pain

·         Back swelling

·         Pain that travels down your legs

·         Redness

·         Back pain after an injury, including sports injury

·         Back pain that worsens when you lie down

·         Pain associated with tingling, numbness, muscle weakness

·         Pain that lasts more than a week

·         Back pain that causes sudden weight loss

Immediate medical care is necessary when back pain occurs alongside the following.

·         Fever

·         Bowel or urinary issues

·         Sudden loss of feeling

·         Severe stomach pain

·         Back pain after a traumatic accident

What are the causes of back pain?

Different issues may lead to back pain, including the following.

·         Osteoarthritis

·         Herniated disc

·         Facet joint dysfunction

·         Spinal stenosis

·         Sprains and strains

·         Slipped vertebrae

·         Fractures

·         Degenerative disc disease

·         Scoliosis

Most causes of back pain result from natural aging due to the normal wear and tear of the back structure tissues and organs. However, factors such as injuries and accidents may cause back pain at any given time.

What are the treatment options for back pain?

Usually, your treatment for back pain begins with a comprehensive diagnosis, where your provider conducts a physical exam and diagnostic tests to evaluate your back pain.

Your treatment begins with conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and pain medications. The health provider may also suggest weight loss if you have an unhealthy weight. They offer a medical weight loss program to help with the same.

When your back pain does not improve, your doctor recommends cortisone injections that help with pain management. For better results, they may suggest you combine the injections with other treatments, like physical therapy.

Surgery comes as the last treatment option when all the other treatments do not give you relief. Your provider only uses surgery to correct structural problems that may be causing your back pain.

In addition to your treatment, your provider at Castle Hills Family Practice offers preventative care to help lower your risk for back pain. They may educate on tips such as diet changes, wearing back support when working, and improving posture for better living.

Schedule your consultation with health providers at Castle Hills Family Practice if your back pain affects your daily activities. It’s not normal when it lasts more than a few days. Kindly book your appointment online or call their office today to learn more.