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Have you ever noticed a twinge in your back when you spend all day sitting at a desk? Or maybe your back pain gets worse when you do household chores.
We all know what it feels like to have back pain. It usually happens when you don't expect it — while you're lifting something, bending over, or getting out of a car. And then it just lingers— sometimes for weeks.
Let's take a look at some of the ways your back is trying to tell you something and why you should see a pain management NYC specialist.
Onset of Sharp, Sudden Back Pain
If you have sudden onset of sharp pain in your back (either on one side or both), it may be cause for concern.
This type of pain usually indicates some sort of structural problem with your spine or surrounding muscles and tendons. It may also be caused by inflammation of nerve roots in the spinal cord, which can become inflamed for any number of reasons.
These include a pinched nerve in your spine from an injury or from sitting too long with poor posture while working at a computer or incorrect lifting techniques.
If this happens to you, it's important to see a pain doctor as soon as possible so they can determine whether it's something that needs medical attention right away or something that can be managed with therapy sessions until the underlying cause is found and treated properly.
Minor Back Pain that Doesn't Get Better with Rest
If you have a mild ache in your back that doesn't get better with rest and doesn't worsen with activity, it may be caused by an injury or overuse problem. Injuries can happen from sudden trauma, such as lifting something heavy, but they can also occur from repetitive stress over time. The most common cause of minor back pain is muscle strains or spasms. These injuries usually occur when the muscles are fatigued or weak, which makes them more susceptible to injury.
The best way to know if your back pain is serious or not is to see a pain physician in New York, who will perform an exam and ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. The doctor will then make a diagnosis and offer treatment options based on what he finds during the exam and what you tell him about how long you've had back pain and how it affects your daily activities.
Pain that Gradually Increases in Frequency
This is often caused by degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), which narrows the space around your spinal cord and nerves and causes them to rub against bone or ligaments that support them.
Back Pain that Comes on with Exercise
If you have back pain that comes on after exercise, it could be a sign of a herniated disc or other serious condition. If you experience this type of back pain, see a health care provider immediately.
If your symptoms persist, talk to a pain specialist about whether you need physical therapy or chiropractic care for rehabilitation exercises that can strengthen the muscles in your back.
The sooner you get treatment, the better your chances of avoiding long-term problems and returning to an active lifestyle.
Pain that Radiates or Shoots Down in Your Leg
If you have numbness or tingling in your legs, it may be a sign of nerve damage. This could mean that there has been some damage to the nerves in your spinal cord.
This is not always indicative of a serious medical condition, but it is important to get checked out by a medical professional nonetheless. The symptoms are typically felt when bending over or walking upstairs and are often treated with physical therapy.
Weakness in Your Lower Body
Weakness in one leg but not the other may indicate nerve damage caused by restricted blood flow to the spine. The weakness usually occurs when you stand up from sitting, but sometimes it may develop over time if there's an underlying problem with your blood vessels or nerves (such as diabetes).
The best way to get relief from low-back pain is to treat it early before it becomes severe and disabling. The sooner you start treatment, the better your results are likely to be.
Unexpected Weight Loss
One of the most common signs that something is wrong with your spine is sudden weight loss. If you have been losing weight without trying and the weight loss has not been gradual, then it could be due to an underlying medical condition like cancer or arthritis.
It's important to note that sudden weight loss alone doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong with your spine; however, it should be checked out by a pain doctor. The loss of appetite often occurs as a result of suffering from chronic pain.
You Need to See A Pain Management NYC Specialist
The next time you feel some back pain, think about what that pain might be trying to tell you. Don't ignore the problem or just take medication because the pain is there. Instead, a trip to a pain specialist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is a good idea because there could be an underlying problem that aggravates the pain.
The purpose of this article is to help you notice some of the red flags that back pain could be set off. The sooner you recognize those signs, the better you'll be able to treat any problems or get them treated by a medical professional.
So take the first step today. Don't delay. Call our pain management NYC clinic for an appointment and learn about your back pain treatment options. And remember, we are here to help you get back on track.