Like many others, you have probably experienced back pain at some point in your life. Whether it is because you slept on an uncomfortable bed while on vacation, or because you worked hard during the day, you probably know how it feels. Usually, that kind of back pain is nothing serious, and it will fade away throughout the day, or the next day.
However, there are some cases where back pain tends to stick around, which is when it can become a real problem. Since back pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and one of the most common reasons people take days off from work, it should be taken seriously. There are various types of back pain, and while some may be taken care of at home, others require help from a professional.
You have been in pain for over a week
In most cases, back pain is going to go away after a day or two. However, if you are experiencing back pain for over a week, it might be a good time to call a doctor. If it is nothing serious, they will just perform some basic examinations and tests on you. But, if you have a bigger problem, you will probably be asked to stick around, and further testing will be required.
If you happen to have a problem with your back that is more serious than you thought, do not worry. Usually, serious back conditions can be treated and prevented from developing further if they are discovered early on. If you are in the area, you can schedule an appointment at https://northsidechiropractic.com.au/, as it is better to check out your back pain earlier than later.
Long-lasting back pain is a sign you should visit a doctor
The pain extends to other parts of your body
Usually, one of the better signs that your back pain is nothing serious is if it stays localized. However, once you experience that the pain is spreading from the back to other areas in your body, such as going down your leg, seeing a doctor is a must. You could be having a serious condition such as sciatica, or a herniated disk, which a visit to the doctor will be able to tell you within minutes.
You are experiencing numbness, weakness, or tingling
If you are experiencing one of the mentioned sensations, you could be suffering from nerve irritation or damage. This is almost always the case if the pain is still there once you take some over-the-counter medication. You should get yourself checked immediately, as nerve pain can often lead to permanent damage or even disability if you do not treat it.
You are experiencing post-accident pain
If you happen to be in an accident, experiencing pain is kind of normal, as your body gets hit by all kinds of unexpected events. However, if the pain does continue for a day or two, you might be facing a more serious problem than just a hard bump. In most cases, it is a fracture, which is why you should seek a professional opinion.
Certain positions make the pain worse
Quite often, the sign of an infection, fracture, or nerve compression is when a person experiences pain only in certain positions. If you wake up in the middle of the night due to back pain, or if you have pain just by lying down, you should not ignore that pain hoping that it will go away on its own.
You have problems with urination or bowels
One of the common reasons why someone should seek back pain treatment in Melbourne according to Northside Chiropractic is because it is related to bowels and urination. Cauda quina syndrome is a condition where nerves of the lower spine become paralyzed, which makes the person lose control over their bowels and their urinary tract.
It is quite rare to have this syndrome, but if you leave it untreated, you could experience permanent damage to those nerves. Not only that, but it could spread down to your legs, where they will get numb and after a certain time, surgery might be the only thing to help you out.
Back pain can be the main cause of your bowel and urination problems
You experienced sudden unexplainable weight loss
While it is a dream of many to suddenly lose all of that weight that hours at the gym are unable to do, sudden weight loss should always be taken seriously. While there are many reasons why this might happen, if you are experiencing back pain, it will make the doctor’s decision to come up with a diagnosis much easier, which will naturally make you get faster treatment.
Final word
Pain is, unfortunately, something that a lot of people will just ignore today, especially back pain, as a lot of people tend to complain about it, which made this wrong perspective that it is a completely normal phenomenon. If you are experiencing pain, do not hesitate to consult with a professional, as detecting more serious conditions early on can have a big impact on treatment, and are sometimes life-changing.