Back pain is a common ailment that can affect anyone, regardless of age, activity level, or physical condition. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including muscle strain, ligament sprain, disc herniation, and arthritis.
While some back issues can be resolved on their own, others may require medical attention from a back doctor – an orthopedic doctor or a pain management physician who can offer treatment for back pain.
Here’s a comprehensive guide on the warning signs, symptoms, and situations that call for a visit to a back specialist and how a back doctor can help you.
Warning Signs and Symptoms That Warrant Medical Attention
While not all back pain requires a visit to a back doctor, certain symptoms should not be ignored. These include:
When Back Pain Lasts Longer Than Three Months
If you’ve been dealing with back pain for over three months, you likely have chronic back pain. Chronic back pain can really mess with your life and make it hard to do everyday things.
If you’re dealing with chronic back pain, it’s important to see a back doctor right away. It could be a sign that you have a more serious issue like spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, or a degenerative disc disorder.
When Home Remedies and Pain Relievers Fails to Provide Adequate Relief
Home remedies (such as rest, icing, and heat therapy) and painkillers (such as anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and opioids) are great ways to manage your pain.
But if you’re not getting the help you need from home remedies and pain relievers, it’s best to consult a pain management doctor who treats pain. Your back doctor can help you find a safer and more effective way to treat your pain, like nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and more.
When You have a Limited Range of Motion
If you’re having trouble moving your neck or back because of pain and stiffness, it could be a sign that your range of motion is restricted. A limited range of motion could result from an injury to your muscles or soft tissue or a more serious spine deformity.
If you have a limited range of motion and mobility, seeing a back doctor is important to get an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.
When You Sustain an Injury or Trauma
If you are experiencing back pain due to an accident or injury to your back, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention from a back doctor.
Falls, vehicle accidents, sports-related injuries, and other traumatic incidents can cause severe damage to your back muscles, ligaments, or spine. Ignoring back pain after an injury or accident can lead to long-term complications.
A back doctor can provide quick relief and prevent further injury.
When Chronic Back Pain Couple with Other Symptoms
If you have chronic back pain and experience other symptoms, such as fever, unexplained weight loss, or inflammation, you should consider seeing a back doctor.
A back doctor can perform a thorough evaluation and reach the root cause of your back pain and related symptoms. They can also offer a wide range of treatments, such as interventional management techniques and minimally invasive therapies, to provide you lasting relief.
When You Have Recurring Pain
The term “recurring pain” refers to the pain an individual continues to experience even after treatment. Medical professionals often attempt to manage pain through medication, physical therapy, and surgery. Most of these treatments are successful in relieving pain, but in some cases, the pain persists or does not resolve completely.
If you are experiencing recurring back pain despite treatment, you should visit a pain clinic for specialized pain management. The pain clinic doctors can review your treatment plan, run additional tests if needed, and suggest alternative approaches to managing your pain.
Back Doctor Near Me in Melbourne, FL
Back pain can be a significant nuisance and affect mental health and emotional well-being. Seeing a back doctor can allow you to lead a pain-free and healthier life.
If you experience any of the warning signs described in the above section, consult our back doctor here at Central Florida Spine & Pain. At our pain clinic, our back doctor, Dr. Nicholas Giordano, and team offer high-quality, non-drug, non-surgery treatments and techniques to address the painful conditions of our patients.
To find out more about our back pain treatments or to schedule a consultation with our board-certified pain specialist, contact us today at (321) 802-5021 or fill out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to treating you!
