Why Do People Ignore Back Pain?
Back pain is extremely common, and that can make it easy to dismiss. You may assume that your pain is just from sleeping the wrong way, working too hard, exercising, getting older, or sitting at a desk all day.
Sometimes back pain does improve on its own. But persistent or recurring pain can also be related to an underlying spine condition that deserves evaluation.
Depending on the individual, back pain may be associated with conditions such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, nerve compression, facet joint problems, injury, or other causes.
Getting your back pain evaluated does not mean you're signing up for surgery. It means you're taking the first step toward understanding what's causing your symptoms.
When Should You Stop Toughing It Out?
There isn't a single amount of time that applies to every person with back pain. The severity of your symptoms, how long they've been present, whether they're getting worse, and how much they're affecting your daily life all matter.
If your back pain isn't improving or is beginning to interfere with normal activities, it may be time to seek professional evaluation.
An evaluation can help determine what type of pain you're experiencing and whether conservative treatment, additional testing, or another approach may be appropriate.
Signs Your Back Pain Deserves Attention
These symptoms don't necessarily mean you need surgery, but they are reasons to consider talking with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Persistent Pain
Your back pain isn't improving or continues to return.
Radiating Pain
Pain travels from your back into your buttocks, legs, arms, or hands.
Numbness or Tingling
You experience new or persistent numbness or tingling.
Weakness
You notice weakness in an arm, hand, leg, or foot.
Daily Activities Are Affected
Pain makes it harder to work, exercise, sleep, walk, or perform normal activities.
Your Symptoms Are Getting Worse
Your pain or other symptoms are progressively becoming more difficult to manage.
Back Pain Can Have Many Different Causes
One reason an evaluation can be helpful is that different conditions can produce similar symptoms.
A herniated disc, for example, can irritate or compress a nearby nerve and cause back pain, radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Spinal stenosis involves narrowing around the spinal cord or nerves and may contribute to back or neck pain, numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking.
Other potential sources of back pain include degenerative disc disease, facet joint problems, muscle injuries, nerve compression, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and spinal injuries.
Because symptoms can overlap, identifying the likely source of your pain is an important part of determining an appropriate treatment plan.
Seeing a Spine Surgeon Does Not Automatically Mean Surgery
Evaluation Comes First.
This is one of the most important points in Dr. Kuwamura's message.
Seeking professional care does not mean you have decided to have surgery.
Depending on the cause of your symptoms, treatment may begin with conservative approaches such as physical therapy, activity modification, medications, injections, or other non-surgical options.
The purpose of an evaluation is to understand what's happening and determine what treatment approach makes sense for your individual condition.
What Happens During a Back Pain Evaluation?
A professional evaluation typically begins with a discussion about your symptoms, medical history, and how your pain affects your daily activities.
Your provider may perform a physical examination to evaluate movement, strength, sensation, and other factors that may help identify the source of your symptoms.
Depending on your symptoms and examination, imaging or other diagnostic testing may be recommended when appropriate.
The goal isn't simply to identify something abnormal on an image. It's to determine whether the findings match your symptoms and help guide an appropriate treatment plan.
Conservative Treatment May Be the First Step
Not every patient with back pain needs an injection, procedure, or surgery. In many cases, conservative care may be an appropriate place to start.
Depending on the cause of the pain, treatment may include:
- Physical therapy
- Activity modification
- Medications when appropriate
- Targeted injections
- Exercise and rehabilitation
- Monitoring symptoms over time
The right treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, neurological findings, and how you respond to treatment.
Don't Wait Until Back Pain Takes Over Your Life
You don't have to wait until your pain becomes unbearable before asking what's causing it.
If you're experiencing persistent back pain, radiating pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain that is interfering with your normal activities, consider getting evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.
As Dr. Kuwamura explains, the goal isn't necessarily surgery. The first step is getting evaluated, understanding the type of pain you're experiencing, and determining what options may be appropriate for you.
Don't just live with back pain. Find out what's causing it and learn what options may be available.
