When Should I See A Doctor For Back Pain
When your back first starts to hurt, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever and applying ice in the first 48 hours. You may apply heat after 48 hours. You may need to take it easy for a while, but its best to stay as active as tolerated, and to avoid absolute bed rest, said Dr. Guo.
If your back pain lasts more than two weeks and keeps you from participating in normal, daily activities, see your family doctor. If your pain is severe, you should see a doctor sooner. You should seek urgent medical care if you have:
- Fever associated with back pain
- Back pain after trauma
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Loss of strength in your arms and legs
- Unexplained weight loss associated with back pain
Also, always be more cautious if you have special risk factors for cancer, infection, or fractures that may affect the spine.
What Is Back Pain
Back pain refers to pain that you may feel in your back or spine. It is a very common problem: 1 in 6 Australians report having back problems, and 4 out of 5 experience it sometime in their life. While both men and women report that they experience back problems, it is more commonly reported by people 25 years and older.
Back pain can be grouped into different categories. Lower back pain refers to pain felt in the lower part of the spine . Back problems can also affect the upper back , the neck as well as the tailbone .
People experience back pain in different ways. Some people say it feels like a sharp pain other people report aches or spasms. You may feel stiff, or find it hard to turn or bend in certain directions. In some cases, such as sciatica, pain can travel down one or both your legs.
Back pain can impact you physically and mentally. People suffering from back pain may feel irritable or short-tempered. They may worry about whether the pain will control their life and may experience feelings of helplessness.
Signs You Need To See A Hip Doctor
Have you ever experienced sudden hip pain that had you reaching to your side? Or maybe you have that slight aching sensation that never seems to go away. Whatever your hip pain is like, theres a good chance that you need to see a hip doctor that specializes in these sorts of conditions. We asked our favorite hip specialists in Nashville, TN this very question when is it time for you to see a hip surgeon?
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Where To Start With Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common complaints on the planet.
And when someone starts experiencing back pain it can be so frightening that we immediately want an expert that will somehow magically get rid of it.
Unfortunately, there’s just no unicorns and rainbows when it comes to solving back pain.
Realize that most back pain will resolve on its own. What I’m saying here is that your major ache or tweaked out back doesn’t require a specialist in most cases.
Some of the most common causes of acute or sudden back pain include an injury:
- to a muscle or tendon
- to a back ligament
- to a bulging disc .
And the reality is, many of these issues will eventually resolve on their own.
In my personal opinion, the first time someone starts to experience back pain, they should immediately start doing back extension exercises.
I would continue to do back extensions every 3-4 hours throughout the day for at least 3 days.
And if you notice that you’re feeling better, continue for another 1-2 weeks.
But if your low back pain doesn’t improve, then maybe there is something more serious happening.
More serious causes of back pain include:
- a narrowing of the spinal canal
- disc tears or herniations
- severe degenerative disc disease
- spinal infections
So if your back pain doesn’t improve with back extensions and modified activities, then you’d want to consider someone who is qualified to properly assess the situation.
How To Get Rid Of Upper Back Pain
When we think of pain, it is usually associated with an injury or trauma.
But a lot of upper back and neck pain seems to come out of the blue, leaving you uncomfortable and asking how to get rid of upper back pain.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, half of all working Americans report suffering from back pain and another study reveals that nearly 60% of Americans wouldnt tell a medical professional if they were suffering from chronic pain.
This pain can be caused by a number of factors such as working at a computer or simply sitting at a desk too long and can interrupt your life.
If this is you and youre left asking how to get rid of upper back pain, dont worry weve got your back!
Here are ten things to try when you need to know how to get rid of upper back pain.
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What Does A Rheumatologist Do
Rheumatology studies the causes, impact, and treatments of inflammatory autoimmune disorders on the human body. In an autoimmune disorder, a patients own immune system malfunctions and turns its attack on his own healthy body tissue, rather than on invading or external disease agents.
Rheumatologists can be internists or pediatricians who have additional training and qualifications. They have the experience to diagnose and treat many of the over 100 systemic forms of adult, juvenile, and temporal arthritis. They treat mechanical joint, bone, muscle, and soft and connective tissue diseases.
Often referred to as arthritis doctors, rheumatologists treat many other diseases too.
Diagnosing Your Hip Pain
If you do decide that seeing a hip surgeon is the right course of action, your doctor may start you off trying to gather a little more information. They may ask you about your medical history, genetics, activity and fitness levels, and possibly just try to get to know you as a person.
They may set you up for some imaging work such as an x-ray or MRI. This will help your hip doctor gain insight into what that hip really looks like
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Types Of Doctors That Specialize In Back Pain
HARVARD TRAINED PAIN DOCTORS | VOTED #1 PAIN CENTER | PAIN TREATMENT SPECIALISTS
If you have back pain, there are a number of different specialists that can help. Back pain can be caused by a number of different reasons, and as a result, there are a number of different doctors that specialize in treating back pain in different ways. It can be difficult to know which type of doctor to see, so we have compiled a list of some of the most common back pain specialists, in order for you to make a more informed choice about your future treatment.
If you are experiencing severe pain and feel ready to find the best back pain doctor and book an appointment today, you can jump straight ahead to the bottom of this article and submit a contact form, or give us call at 767-3227. One of our team members will help you identify the best back pain doctor near you.
What Is A Back And Spine Pain Doctor Called
The decision to seek treatment for your chronic lower back pain will alleviate the stiffness, soreness, and lack of mobility that affects your daily life. At Pain Treatment Specialists, a back and spine pain doctor is called an interventional pain specialist. Our team works with patients to explore minimally-invasive, yet highly effective cutting-edge treatments designed to avoid surgery and return them to the activities they love.
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Youve Been In Pain For Over A Week
Most back pain will subside after a few days, but if youve been experiencing pain for over a week, then its time to call a doctor. Your doctor will perform any examinations or tests required to help get to the bottom of your pain before it could become a bigger problem. As is the case with many health conditions, prevention and addressing problems early is key.
Hip Pain Treatment At Home
When hip pain is mild, or if it comes and goes, you might be able to treat it at home and find relief. Try these home remedies for hip pain:
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Applying heat with a heating pad
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Applying ice, alternating between 20 minutes with the ice pack on followed by 20 minutes with the pack off
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Hydrotherapy including either taking a hot shower or soaking in a hot tub or whirlpool. At home, you can add Epsom salts to a warm bath for added benefit.
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen
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Resting the hip including avoiding activities that make the pain worse. Avoid sleeping on your side. If you routinely sleep on your side, use a firm pillow between your knees to help align your hips.
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Stretching exercises for the lower back and hip area
If hip pain comes on suddenly and severely, or if home remedies dont alleviate the within a week, you should seek medical attention.
When to See a Doctor for Hip Pain
In certain situations, you should seek immediate medical attention for hip pain. Call 911 if:
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You cannot bear weight on the hip joint
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The joint appears deformed
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Informed Choice Can Help You Choose A Trustworthy Provider
There are as many choices as there are colors in the rainbow. There are a number of distinct physicians within the medical world that you have a choice from. Internists, family physicians, orthopaedists, neurosurgeons, spine surgeons, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and even some psychiatrists that treat lower back disorders. There are places that have multiple specialists who treat these disorders as a group.
There are a number of distinct physicians within the medical world that you have a choice from. Photo Source: 123RF.com.There are many types of nonmedical practitioners to choose from, and they vary greatly even within their own specialty. You can go to a chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, athletic trainer, acupuncturist, Feldenkrais or Pilates practitioner, personal trainer, or even an aroma therapist.
When The Hip Is The Usual Suspect
Surprisingly, hip problemsusually produce groin pain on the affected side. Thats because the actualjoint of the hip is near the spine.
Groin pain is a hip issue until proven otherwise, says back pain specialist Russell DeMicco, DO. Pain above the belt line is not a hip issue.
The most common cause ofhip pain is osteoarthritis of the hip joint. You may have hip arthritis if:
- Pain is in your groin.
- Discomfort comes and goes, becoming more frequent over time.
- Pain worsens with standing, walking and activity, and is relieved by rest.
- You feel stiff.
- You walk with a limp.
Avascular necrosis, or AVN,is a serious condition marked by death of hip bone at the joint. The pain isusually worse and far more constant than in osteoarthritis. People come to mesaying, My hip is killing me, says Dr. Murray.
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How My Orthopedic Doctor Can Help Me With Hip Pain
Hip pain is a common occurrence, and treatments for mild cases can be as simple as resting your joints and avoiding physical activities. However, if your aches do not subside despite adequate rest, you might want to get your hips checked. Muscle injury and joint damage are common causes of hip pain. Seeking professional medical help from an orthopedic doctor may be the best thing to do. But how do orthopedic doctors alleviate your hip pain?
Perform Hip Stretches Before Going To Bed
Hip stretches are especially important if youre suffering from hip and lower back pain at night. These could point to tight muscles being the culprit of your pain.
As ManageBackPain.com explains, talk to your doctor about stretches you can try. Or, for more mild cases of hip pain, try the following stretches from Exercise For Injuries. These will work out the tension youre holding in your hips and can relieve pain before bed.
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All Studies Have Limitations
And this one is no exception. While this study suggests that chiropractic care may be helpful for low back pain, some aspects of the study make it hard to be sure. For example:
If any of these factors had been different, the results might have been different. For example, its possible that if an older population of people with chronic low back pain had been studied, “usual care” might have been the better treatment.
How Doctors Get To Root Of Your Pain
If you have pain in your lower body and arent sure whether your back or hip is to blame, a good first course of action is to visit your personal doctor. He or she will review your medical history and may perform a series of physical exam tests to get to the root of your pain. Alternatively, your personal doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the hip or spine to make an accurate diagnosis.
Your doctor will ask you to describe your pain, including its location, when it worsens/is relieved, and what the pain feels like .
After listening to your description of your pain, your doctor may have you perform several maneuvers or movements as part of a physical exam. The goal of these maneuvers is to determine what movements recreate your pain. One such maneuver is called the Flexion Abduction External Rotation test, which helps determine if the disorder is sourced in your hip and may illuminate sacroiliac joint problems. During this test, you lie down your back while flexing and rotating your hips. Your doctor may also palpate the area of pain.
Next, your doctor may also order imaging scans, such an x-ray to view your bones or an MRI to view soft tissues , which may help reveal the true nature of the spinal or hip problem. It is important for your doctor to then determine if your complaints and exam findings can be explained by what is seen on the images.
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When & How To Seek Medical Care
If low back pain lasts for longer than one to two weeks, seek medical care. First, make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms are present in addition to back pain:
- Severe abdominal pain
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Chiropractic Care For Back Pain
It may take several types of tests including x-rays, MRIs, and blood tests, to determine the exact cause of your back pain.
And you may need more than one expert managing your back pain.
It really just depends on your specific situation and the amount of damage that has occurred in your spine.
But for back sprains, strains, and even herniated discs, a visit to your local chiropractor may be all it takes to start feeling better.
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To Relieve Hip Pain Try Thesefirst:
- See your primary care doctor. He or she will likely prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to see if hip pain improves.
- Lose weight. Shedding extra pounds is critical in relieving hip pain. Losing weight often reduces symptoms to the point where surgery is not necessary, says Dr. Murray. It also increases your chances of a successful outcome if surgery is one day warranted.
Orthopedic Doctor In Merriam Ks
Orthopedic doctors are equipped with knowledge and skills to address your hip pain. If you are experiencing hip pain that is not resolved with rest and over-the-counter medications, dont hesitate to seek medical help.
Here at Midwest Orthopaedics, we offer you quality orthopedic care for hip pain through nonsurgical and surgical treatments. We assure you that our board-certified providers will give you and your family the patient-centered care you deserve.
For questions and concerns, call us at 362-8317. You can also request an appointment with us through our secure online form. We look forward to helping you relieve your pain!
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When To Go To Urgent Care For Back Pain
Certain back pain symptoms may not require immediate attention on the same day of occurrence but may need medical assessment as early as possible. When an appointment with a primary care physician or specialist is not available within a week, visiting an urgent care facility may be recommended to evaluate these symptoms:
- A recent increase in back pain that does not subside with over-the-counter or prescription medications
- Back pain associated with nausea and/or vomiting
- Back pain that becomes severe with specific movements, such as while coughing, bending forward or backward, or during twisting movements
- Back pain that travels down the hip and/or leg
- Recent onset of back stiffness
While an urgent care facility may not be equipped for a complete evaluation and diagnosis, the physician can help identify any hidden red-flag symptoms. An urgent-care physician can also prescribe medication to help control the symptoms in the short-term and offer referrals/guidance for further evaluation or treatment.
When Is It Time To Find The Best Back Injury Doctor Near Me
After an intense workout, a day spent digging in the garden, or an impromptu spin on the dance floor, its normal to feel some aches and pains from muscles that you dont use on a regular basis. However, when those normal aches and pains occur in your lower back, they can severely limit your daily activities and range of motion. When is it time to say, Its time to call the best lower back doctor near me!, and what can doctors do for back pain?
Temporary muscle soreness in your lower back is normal after physical exertion, and common after completing repetitive motions such as bending, reaching, and twisting. When lower back pain persists, or interferes with your normal, daily life, perhaps its time to ask, Where is the best back injury doctor near me? At Pain Treatment Specialists, youll not only find the most qualified back pain doctors, but also find cutting-edge and minimally invasive treatments for chronic lower back pain.
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