What Drink Is Good For Back Pain
Cherry juice can help relieve muscle pain, which may be chronic or exercise-induced. Cherry juice is easily available to buy at grocery stores and commonly contains the tart cherry extract. Try drinking a glass of cherry juice on a daily basis and see if it has positive effects in relieving your back pain.
When To Visit A Doctor For Back Pain
Back pain can make your life miserable. It can have many causes as it is made up of a complex structure of vertebrae, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and the spinal cord. Anissue with any of these can cause pain. While it is not recommended that you see a doctor for every instance of backache and pain, some signs indicate it may be time to see a back pain specialist.
In Most Cases A Primary Care Doctor Or Chiropractor Can Help You Resolve The Problem
Low back pain is one of the most common complaints on the planet. And you may wonder where to turn when you start experiencing some of those aches or twinges in the lower part of your back. Take heart. “In most cases, you won’t need a specialist,” says Dr. Robert Shmerling, a rheumatologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
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Causes Of Back Pain In Dogs: Our 2022 Guide
Researched & Written by:Sean GreenPosted on:
Dogs are our best friends, but sometimes even best friends need a little help. Unfortunately, our furry friends arent the best at telling us when theyre in pain, making it hard to diagnose the problem. Additionally, dogs tend to hide their pain to avoid looking weak in front of their pack.
However, with a little knowledge of the signs and symptoms of back pain, dog owners can help their furry friends find relief. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing back pain in dogs, so its important to be on the lookout for signs that your dog is in discomfort.
If Youre Still Not Better Youll Likely Get An Mri
If youve finished your PT but your pains not improved, your physiatrist will likely send you for an . This type of test looks at whats going on inside your body using a high-powered magnet. An MRI can help doctors see if a nerve is being pinched, if theres wear-and-tear on the cartilage or bones, or if theres another physical problem that might be at the root of your pain.
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Symptoms Of Lower Back Pain
The symptoms of lower back pain can vary from person to person. It may come on suddenly, perhaps after youve lifted something heavy or moved in a way thats hurt your back. Or it may come on gradually over time or for no clear reason. Some people get a dull pain in their back, while others describe it as more of a tearing or burning pain. You may find certain things make the pain worse, and other things help to relieve it. The pain can range from mild to severe.
If you have sciatica, pain can spread from your back or buttock down your leg, sometimes as far as your foot or toes.
Ready To Address Your Back Pain
The University of Maryland Spine Network can help you put your pain behind you. With convenient locations throughout the state, the UM Spine Network is home to the region’s leading spine surgeons and specialists that can help you identify the source of your pain and put an end to it for good.
Put an end to your back pain. Find a spine specialist near you.
In This Section:
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Learn About The Different Back Pain Specialists
When a back problem occurs, it’s typically a good idea to first consult with a primary care physician. This doctor will conduct an initial exam and, depending on the findings, he or she may refer you to a spine specialist.
If you are referred to a specialist for chronic back pain, it will likely be to one of the following:
When To See A Healthcare Provider
Most cases of back pain last for a few days and resolve completely within a few weeks. If you have sudden, new back pain, contact your healthcare provider.
There are a few warning signs that immediate care is needed:
- The pain persists for more than a few days or is worsening.
- The pain wakes you up at night.
- You have a fever, chills, or other signs of infection.
- You have problems with bladder or bowel control.
- There are other symptoms you cannot explain.
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Common Causes Of Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back painis usually age-related, but can also result from a prior injury. The mostcommon causes include:
- Arthritis of the spinethe gradual thinning of the cartilage inside the spine
- Spinal stenosisnarrowing of the spinal canal that may lead to nerve pain
- Disc problems, such as a herniated or bulging disc
- Myofascial pain syndromeunexplained muscle pain and tenderness
In some cases, its difficult to pinpoint the cause of chronic back pain.If your doctor has exhausted all diagnostic options, its time to seek asecond opinion from a back pain specialist, recommends Nava. Itsimportant not to make rushed decisions or undergo extensive medicalprocedures until the origin of the pain is found. Not only may they nothelp they could make the pain worse, warns Nava.
If the source of the pain is not known or cant be treated, your bestoption may be to work with your doctor on reducing the flare-ups and makingthe pain manageable with nonsurgical treatments.
Back Pain Causes and Treatments Webinar | Stephanie Van, M.D.
Chronic back pain is a persistent source of discomfort for many adults. In this webinar, our expert Stephanie Van, M.D., discusses common causes of back pain along with strategies for relief.
Pain That Prevents You From Falling Asleep
Sleep is a vital aspect of a healthy life and critical to recovery if you have been sick. Its the time when the body heals and repairs itself. If you cannot fall asleep at night due to your back pain, you will feel the effects in the morning and throughout the day. It not only affects your quality of life but can prevent you from healing. Often, back pain that becomes worse at night time is a sign of something more serious.
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The Mri Will Likely Be Looked At By A Surgeon
Often, a like Dr. Dowdell will review a patients MRI results and come up with the next step in their treatment, which may or may not be surgery.
My job as a spine surgeon is not only to do surgery but to diagnose people properly and get them to the right doctor if surgery isnt going to be helpful, he says. Some patients are frustrated when I say surgery wont help them, but it would be worse if I did surgery, and it didnt help or made things worse.
Dr. Dowdell says that surgeons sometimes recommend non-surgical treatments, too, such as injections, which not only can provide relief but help them determine where the pain is coming from.
Even if surgery is the recommended next step, know that you may be able to have a minimally invasive procedurethat is, one that results in less pain and complications and a quicker and easier recovery.
Preparing To See A Doctor For Back And Neck Pain
If low back or neck pain persists longer than a few days or weeks, a doctors evaluation and treatment may be needed.
A general practitioner or chiropractor are often the first line of treatment for back or neck pain. These providers are able to treat or manage most cases of back or neck pain, and may provide referrals to a specialist if needed.
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Pain That Keeps You Up At Night
Back pain that keeps you up at night, or gets worse when you rest, is generally not life-threatening. That said, it’s best to get it checked, especially when accompanied by fever.
Back or neck pain with fever may be a sign of an infection such as meningitis. Infections can get serious, fast, so don’t delay that call to your doctor prompt diagnosis and treatment may save your life.
When To See A Doctor For Back Pain
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 pulled muscle to more serious back and spine conditions. The type of discomfort ranges from a dull backache 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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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.
Be Proactive About Your Back Pain Treatment Plan
If the current treatment plan for your back pain isn’t working, consider researching various spine specialists on your own. There may be a different type of health professional who is better suited to treat your condition.
Before you see a specialist, write down a clear description of your symptoms and the treatments you’ve tried. This written record can help you to better communicate with your new doctor. Also, don’t be shy about seeking a second opinion if you think it will help alleviate your back pain.
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Signs That Its Time To Call A Doctor For Your Back Pain
Most people have experienced back pain at some point in their lives. It’s actually the leading cause of disability worldwide and the most common reason people call out of work. Back pain can come in many different forms, ranging from a dull ache that lasts only a few days to severe pain that lasts for weeks.
Depending on the intensity of the pain, there are many treatments you can try at home to help. But how do you know when it’s time to stop home remedies and see a physician?
If any of the following applies to your back pain, then it’s time to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.
Injections And Other Procedures
If you have severe sciatica, your doctor may suggest an epidural injection. Epidural injections contain a local anaesthetic and steroid to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Theyre only recommended for sciatica and not non-specific lower back pain.
If your back pain is chronic and other treatments havent helped, your doctor may suggest a procedure called radiofrequency denervation. Its only suitable for certain types of back pain. Your doctor will refer you to a specialist to assess whether it would help you.
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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.
When You See Your Doctor For Back Pain
Your doctor will look at your back and ask you questions about how intense your pain is. They may also look at how easy it is for you to sit, stand, and move around. This will help them figure out where your pain is coming from.
To find the cause, your doctor might recommend other tests such as:
CT or MRI scans. These check for issues with your bones, disks, tissue, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments.
X-rays. This test can help find arthritis or broken bones.
Electromyography . This test measures your muscles’ response to electrical impulses from your nerves. It can show whether you have pinched or compressed nerves along your spine.
Blood tests. Your doctor will look for infections that could cause back pain.
Bone scans. Doctors rarely use these for back pain, but they may help to find tumors or breaks caused by osteoporosis.
After your doctor figures out what the issue is, theyâll discuss treatment options with you. For minor cases of back pain, they may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or a heating pad.
For more serious conditions, your doctor may give you strongermedication like narcotics, antidepressants, or muscle relaxers.
You may need to see a specialist to understand your condition better. Your doctor may suggest you make an appointment with:
- An orthopedist, a doctor who specializes in bones, muscles, and joints
- A rheumatologist, who specializes in arthritis and similar conditions
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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.
You May Also Benefit From Talking About It
Dr. Dowdell says that another type of specialist a psychiatrist can be beneficial in helping people deal with long-term pain, which has been linked to anxiety and depression.
I tell my patients, I dont think your pain is all in your head. I think youre really feeling it. And I think dealing with how that affects your mental health might make you feel better as well, he says. Everyone experiences pain differently. Some people are more sensitive to it than others.
Understanding how pain affects the brain is so important that every HSS pain management doctor is required to finish four years of medical school, four years of residency training in pain management, and one year of additional training in relevant fields including psychiatry.
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Types Of Knee Pain Doctors
Knee pain doctors can come from various different fields of medicine such as anesthesiologists, physiatrists, neurosurgeons, podiatrists, neurologists, primary care physicians, or orthopedic surgeons.
However, broadly speaking, if you are wondering what kind of doctor for knee pain exists, there are three knee pain specialists palliative care specialists, interventional pain and spine specialists, and chronic pain specialists.
As you can see, there are a lot of options when it comes to what doctor to see for knee pain. But you should look for interventional pain specialists because theyre the only ones who can truly diagnose the root cause of your knee pain and provide long-term relief. An interventional pain specialist will use imaging tests like X-Rays, CT scans, and MRIs to determine the root cause of knee pain.
How Common Is Back Pain
If youre like most Americans, youll probably have back pain at some point in your life. Four in five adults suffer from low back pain. Luckily, most back pain goes away within one to two weeks. But if your pain is long-term or chronicand if you have certain symptoms with your low back painyou may want to see a spine specialist.
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