Back discomfort is a prevalent issue. According to the American Chiropractic Association, around 80% of individuals will have back discomfort at some point. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of doctor visits and missed workdays. The discomfort might range from a subtle aching to a rapid, severe, and incapacitating agony. Based on the severity of the discomfort, there are numerous home remedies you could attempt. However, how can you recognize when to quit home treatments and visit a doctor? If any of the following describe your Westfield lower back pain, you should schedule a doctor’s appointment immediately.
- Your Back Pain Has Lasted For More Than A Week
Oftentimes, back discomfort will resolve within several days, but if you have been experiencing pain for more than a week, you should consult a physician. Your physician will do any necessary tests or evaluations to determine the source of your discomfort before it becomes a more serious issue. As with numerous health diseases, prevention and early intervention are essential.
- Your Pain Spreads to Other Body Areas
If you have acute back pain that is accompanied by discomfort in other regions, including shooting agony down your leg, you must consult a physician. This condition may indicate sciatica, a painful condition affecting the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower back via the buttocks before branching out to every leg. A herniated disk is the most common cause of this concern. A physician could provide a range of techniques that could alleviate this discomfort.
- You Experience Weakness, Tingling, or Numbness
Back discomfort coupled with weakness, tingling, or numbness may indicate nerve injury or inflammation. This condition is particularly true if the discomfort continues despite using over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications. Nerve discomfort is severe and, if it remains unaddressed, could culminate into lifelong damage or impairment.
- You Feel Pain Following an Accident
If you feel back discomfort after an auto collision, even a minor one, a fall, or any other type of injury, you should consult a physician. Sometimes, you might have a more severe concern, such as a fracture that requires treatment.
- Your Pain Worsens with Specific Motions or at Certain Times
If your back ache keeps you awake at night or only arises during specific postures, like when sitting, there might be an underlying issue. Pain may indicate a systemic issue, including serious nerve compression, fracture, infection, or malignancy.
- You Are Experiencing Issues with Your Urination or Bowels
If your back discomfort is accompanied by problems with urination or bowels, you should obtain emergency care instantaneously. These symptoms point to cauda equina syndrome, in which the lower spinal nerves are paralyzed. Although rare, this disease can cause lifelong nerve damage if it remains unaddressed. If you suffer these symptoms, particularly in conjunction with leg numbness, you might require surgery to decompress nerves and retain their general functionality.
- You Have a High Fever
The flu could undoubtedly cause fever and aches, even in the back. Nonetheless, if the fever does not respond to ordinary over-the-counter treatments, you may have a severe infection that requires treatment. If a doctor diagnoses you with an infection, they could recommend medications and several days of rest.
Do not allow back pain to take a toll on your life. If back discomfort has lasted weeks or even months without subsiding, chiropractor expert Dr. Eric Whitehouse and his team can assist you in overcoming your pain. Schedule a consultation today through mobile or request online to establish what chiropractic procedure is right for you.