When it comes to whole health chiropractic care for back and neck pain, many people often wonder when they should see a healthcare professional. Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not always straightforward, as many factors can contribute to back and neck pain. New Back Chiropractor is here to provide you with the answers and help you need to get on the path to healing. So, if you are experiencing any of the following, give us a call!
Addressing a Growing Issue
Back and neck pain can vary in intensity, duration, and symptoms. For example, you might experience a dull ache or sharp severe pain that lasts for days, months, or even years. However, as back pain continues to grow as the leading cause of why people miss work or go down a spiral in mobility issues, starting treatment as soon as possible is essential.
What to Do With Pain For a Few Days
When is your back or neck pain telling you to see a healthcare professional specializing in these conditions? You shouldn't have to suffer for long if you know how to effectively manage mild back pain or neck pain through movement and stretching.
However, if the pain persists after a few days, it could indicate a more severe condition. In this case, timing is everything – early diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between complete relief and recovery or unnecessary suffering and chronic problems.
Growing Pains Throughout Your Body
A disc problem is the most likely cause of back pain that spreads down your legs or causes other symptoms like burning, tingling, or numbness in your legs or feet. "Sciatica" usually can be treated without surgery,and if it's diagnosed and treated early, you're less likely to have chronic nerve pain or other nerves-related problems.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
After suffering any injury, getting professional help right away is essential to rule out more severe problems like fractures. Sometimes the pain is delayed by an "adrenaline dump," but that doesn't mean you don't have a more severe condition. For example, we've seen people who start experiencing intense back or neck pain a week or longer after a car accident. So get treatment for your back or neck pain as soon as possible after an injury to give yourself the best chance at a full recovery.
Night Pains
Middle-of-the-night back or neck pain, or pain in specific positions, may indicate a more severe problem. Possibilities include nerve compression, fracture, infection, and, less commonly, cancer.
Uncontrolled Bowel or Bladder
Back pain that causes bowel or bladder issues, numbness, and tingling requires a visit to the hospital. Cauda equina syndrome is a condition where the nerves from the spinal cord are severely damaged in the lower spine. Time is critical when diagnosing and treating a disc herniation because if the nerve damage is severe, it could be permanent. Another drastic sign of infection comes from rapid weight loss. Get professional assistance immediately.
Unexpected Fevers
Suppose your fever does not subside after taking over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. In that case, you may have a much more severe infection that requires immediate medical treatment—time to get seen in the hospital emergency room.
In many cases, we can help you if you are experiencing back or neck pain–even if it means referring you to another specialist. Timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment usually result in the best outcomes. So call New Back Chiropractic for pain relief now!