When Should I See My Doctor
If you have back pain and have lost feeling or movement in your limbs or are having problems controlling your bowels or bladder, call triple 000 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
You should see your doctor or other health care professional for further advice if:
- your pain bothers you
- your back pain doesnt improve after a few weeks or worsens
- you have symptoms such as weight loss, tingling or numbness in the legs, or problems with bladder and/or bowel control
- you have osteoporosis
You should see your doctor as soon as possible, if you have a history of cancer, are prone to infection, or use intravenous drugs.
For most people, back pain will resolve in a few weeks with appropriate self-care. After 2 months, 9 out of 10 people will recover from back pain.
Types Of Specialists Who Treat Sciatica Pain
There are several specialties of medicine that have the ability to treat and prevent future sciatic nerve pain. The type of specialist best fit for your case will depend on the severity of your sciatica and the cause. Let’s look at six different types of doctors who specialize in treating sciatica and which one may be right for you.
Its Difficult To Know Whats Causing Your Pain
Sometimes pain in the back or the neck is acute. It often results from an injury maybe you moved heavy furniture without warming up your muscles, you made a sudden movement working in the yard, or youre ill. Acute pain typically goes away on its own without treatment after a few days or weeks.
However, chronic pain lingers and persists for more than 12 weeks. It can be constant or it can come and go, but it typically requires some type of treatment.
Several things can cause back pain and neck pain:
- sedentary living
- kidney stones
- illnesses
Its important to see a medical professional because there are so many possible causes for your pain. A neurologist can help diagnose the source of your back pain, and recommend the best treatment approach, which may involve physical therapy, seeing a pain specialist, or consulting with a surgeon.
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Bring Your List Of Medications And Previous Medical Records
Provide an accurate history of your medical and surgical treatments and bring all your test results or relevant documents that you may have received from previous doctors. These details are crucial in deciding your course of treatment and also saves the time and effort to conduct new tests.
Consulting a doctor will provide you with a greater benefit if youre well prepared. With these tips, you can more actively participate in the diagnostic and treatment process and are more likely to find healing and pain relief.
One: Before You Visit A Surgeon See Your Family Doctor
Every patient should visit their primary care physician before seeing an orthopedic spine surgeon. Your family doctor will perform a medical exam to identify the cause of your condition. He or she can prescribe medicines for non-chronic lower back pain . These treatments may include analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, and counter-irritants.
Additionally, your doctor can order chiropractic care or physical therapy as a first-line treatment option. Chiropractors are specialists that use spinal manipulation and mobilization to provide pain relief. Physical therapists use techniques including traction, massage, muscle manipulation, and biofeedback to relieve aches and mobility issues. These therapies may not alleviate your pain. If this happens, your primary care doctor will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon. Contact an experienced orthopedic surgeon who can diagnose your lower back pain..
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What Is The Best Doctor For Lower Back Pain
Orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgeons are a popular choice for treatment of sciatica, mostly because they regularly treat lower back pain and problems of the spine. For cases of sciatica that do not resolve quickly on their own, or cases that do not respond to exercise and mild pain medicine, an orthopedic surgeon is a good option.
What Kind Of Doctor Should Be Used For Treatment Of Sciatica
Fact Checked
Sciatica features pain that runs from the lower back or buttocks down the back of the leg. Caused by compression on the sciatic nerve, which runs from the center of the lower back down the back of the leg to the calf muscle, the pain can be intense and long-lasting. Fortunately, many different kinds of doctors can treat sciatica.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
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Eight Risk Factors Of Lower Back Pain
There are eight risk factors that can increase a persons chances of developing lower back pain. These factors include:
- Age Most patients experience lower back pain as they age. Osteoporosis can develop, leading to fractures. Additionally, spinal stenosis increases with age due to lost cushioning and reduced muscle elasticity in the vertebrae.
- Fitness Out-of-shape people are more likely to develop back pain. Weak abdominal muscles create lack of support for the spine.
- Pregnancy Pelvic changes caused by increased pregnancy weight gain can cause lower back injuries. This does not always resolve after childbirth.
- Obesity Excess weight can cause back aches and pains.
- Genes Inherited conditions can cause lower back pain. Ankylosing spondylitis, a genetic form of arthritis, can cause lower back pain as spinal joints fuse together.
- Job-related risks Lifting and pushing heavy objects can cause injuries. Sedentary desk jobs can trigger back pain due to poor posture or back support.
- Mental illness Anxiety and depression can alter how a person perceives pain. Chronic pain can also lead to the development of psychological issues that affect the body in several ways.
- Backpack overload Heavy backpacks can strain younger childrens back muscles. Backpacks shouldnt weigh more than 20 percent of the childs body weight.
What Doctor To See For Sciatica
Trying to figure out what doctor to see for sciatica pain? Sciatica can be debilitating. Whether you have back pain, leg pain or both, here are some ways to find treatment.
Sciatica is the term used to describe pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. This nerve, located in your lower back, is formed by a bundling of nerves that emerge from the lower lumbar region of the spine.
The sciatic nerve is the major neural pathway between your brain and your legs and feet. If the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated, the pain can radiate down the nerve and cause pain or tingling in your legs.
It may be hard to determine what doctor should treat your sciatica since the pain is felt in various locations. Taking a closer look at the causes of sciatica pain can help us determine the appropriate specialist to treat it.
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What Type Of Treatments Can A Nerve Doctor Specialist Provide
There are many different types of pain that can be caused by issues with nerves, and therefore a range of treatments have been developed in order to deal with all of these. A lot of these treatments do not require invasive surgery, and are considered better alternatives to pain relief than options such as oral medication. The majority of these treatments focus not only on reducing the pain that is felt by a nerve condition, but also fixing the nerve issue itself where possible.
Why You Should Avoid Back Surgery
One of the primary reasons why back surgery should be avoided is the risk. All surgeries carry the risk of infection, excessive bleeding, and nerve injury. Not to mention many people dont like being put under general anesthesia or that they may have to use potentially addictive pills to manage the pain after surgery.29 2020 .
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Concerned About Your Back Pain Symptoms We Can Help
Most back pain goes away on its own. But if your back pain has been lingering for more than two weeks without improvement, its been coming and going for some time, or if youre experiencing any alarming symptoms, dont delay the care you need. After all, its much easier to take care of yourself when you can move without pain.
Think PNBC may be right for you? Schedule a consultation.
How Is Back Pain Treated
Doctors treat back pain with medications, other treatments, and surgery. Medications may help relieve pain or help tense muscles relax.
In addition, your doctor may tell you to:
- Use cold packs to help lower some back pain and hot packs to increase blood flow and help you heal.
- Limit activities or exercise that cause pain or make it worse, but do not lay down all day. Slowly increase physical activity as you can.
- Get physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles that support the back.
- Move your body the right way when going about your day, especially when you lift, push, or pull something.
- Practice healthy habits such as exercising, getting regular sleep, eating a healthy diet, and quitting smoking.
Your doctor may recommend surgery if all other treatments tried have not lowered your back pain. However, surgery is not right for everyone, and your doctor will help you decide if it may be best for you.
Different types of health care providers treat back pain, depending on the cause:
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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.
When To See A Doctor For Back Pain
is one of the most common medical conditions more than eight in 10 of us will experience it during our lifetime. There are many reasons why your back may hurtfrom a to more serious . The type of discomfort ranges from a dull to sharp pain. The most common type of back pain is acutewhich means it goes away within weeks. Chronic back pain lasts longer than three months. Knowing when to see a doctor for back pain is half the battle when it comes to finding relief. Many people continue to function with mild backaches and find relief with at-home care measures. But, its important to know the signs and symptoms of a more serious back problem that requires a professional medical diagnosis and treatment.
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Can Back Pain Lead To Complications
The good news is that most people recover from back pain within a few weeks.1 See your doctor if you experience additional symptoms, such as:
- loss of bowel and/or bladder control
- severe pain that gets worse instead of better over time
- problems with passing urine or bowel movements
- numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation in your legs, back or elsewhere
- unexplained weight loss
- back redness or swelling
For some people, back pain becomes an ongoing problem. Around 1 in every 2 people who experience back pain will experience it again, and for 1 in 5 people, back pain may last beyond 8 to 12 weeks. Possible complications that result from persistent, long-term back pain include:
- dependence on strong pain medicines, such as opioids
- reduced quality of life
- more difficulty finding work and keeping active
See your healthcare professional if your back pain is unresolved and limits your movement and activities. A health care professional can help you find ways to manage your pain and regain a better quality of life.
Taming The Pain Of Sciatica: For Most People Time Heals And Less Is More
Despite being a less common cause of low back pain, sciatica is still something I regularly see as a general internist. Primary care doctors can and should manage sciatica, because for most individuals the body can fix the problem. My job is to help manage the pain while the body does its job. When a persons symptoms dont improve, I discuss the role of surgery or an injection to speed things up.
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When To See A Doctor
There is not always an obvious cause of lower back pain, and it often gets better on its own. Resting, trying hot or cold therapy, taking OTC pain relievers, and gently stretching may help speed up recovery.
However, a person should see a doctor for lower back pain that is severe, does not seem to be getting better, or occurs alongside other concerning symptoms, such as tingling or numbness down the legs.
People with lower back pain should seek immediate medical attention if they also have any of the following symptoms:
- difficulty walking or moving the legs
- loss of bowel or bladder function
- loss of sensation in the legs
- very severe pain
A doctor can help a person identify potential causes of lower back pain and recommend appropriate treatment.
Which Doctor Can Help Me With Back Pain
4 Specialists That Can Help Your Back and How to Pick One
- The back pain caregiver menu
- Chiropractors. Chiropractors are often the go-to caregivers for back pain. In 2002, approximately 15 million Americans used chiropractic care, about 40 percent of them for low back pain.
- Physiatrists. Physiatrists are MDs who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Its a fairly new specialty.
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Symptoms That Should Trigger A Call To The Orthopedist
If your pain is moderate to severe and hasnt improved with medication and rest if youre experiencing numbness or tingling or if your pain is the result of an injury or fall, then a trip to the doctor is advisable.
You should consult an orthopedist if you:
- Are suffering from chronic back pain lasting longer than 12 weeks
- Have difficulty performing everyday activities
- Have a limited range of motion due to pain and joint disease such as arthritis
- Experience instability or back pain while walking, standing, or sitting
- Have sustained a soft tissue injury in your back and the pain hasnt subsided within 48 hours
An orthopedic doctor will review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and may utilize diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or an MRI to help identify the source of your back pain. Once the cause of your pain is determined, the orthopedist can recommend and provide the appropriate treatment to reduce or eliminate your back pain.
Additionally, if your back pain is accompanied by any of the following problems, it may indicate a serious problem requiring immediate treatment:
- Weakness, tingling, numbness, or pain in your legs
- Swelling or redness on your back
- Back pain that is constant or intense, especially at night or when you lie down
- Pain that extends below the knee
- Unintended weight loss
- Difficulty urinating
Your Primary Care Doctor Has Recommended You See A Spine Specialist
If youre like most people, when you first develop a medical concern, you make an appointment with your primary care doctor. And this is a good first step. Your primary care physician can perform a physical exam, order imaging studies, and diagnose and treat sciatica. But if your case is more complex, you may be referred to a spine surgeon. Keep in mind, seeing a surgeon doesnt mean you will definitely require surgery. Its just the next step in the process of finding the best treatment plan for you.
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Physical Treatment Best Type Of Doctor To See For Back And Joint Pain
Physical treatment can assist you relieve as well as take care of discomfort, and improve your flexibility and function so you can do day-to-day activities. Physiotherapists are experienced in aiding deal with both intense and acute neck and back pain.
Similar to massage treatment solution, manual treatment is a specialized type of physical treatment options. It aims to adjust your muscle mass as well as joints so theyre even more structurally sound and can move much more freely. Consider it as a much more targeted and also deliberate massage therapy.
Rest Best Type Of Doctor To See For Back And Joint Pain
If you believe youve injured your back, reduce up on the stress youre placing on your back. Lots of people in fact have little option in the matter. Their neck and back pain will force them to drop to their knees or freeze in a bent-over position.
Others will be able to function somewhat generally, yet with awkward distress. In contrast to common belief, studies on acute neck and back pain actually show that a few days of limiting your task and taking the proper non-prescription prescription medication is all that lots of people really need to permit the stretched muscle mass to loosen up and also unbind.
It is essential to chat with your health and wellness care service provider prior to taking any prescription, specifically if you are taking various other pills or have an acute clinical problem.
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