Back pain in Austin is one of the most common reasons why people miss work and seek medical attention. It can be quite uncomfortable and even debilitating. It can result from some illnesses, injuries, and even activity. Back pain affects people of all ages and for many different reasons. However, as people advance in age, the risk of back pain can increase due to issues such as degenerative disk disease and occupation. Luckily, with the assistance of a pain management doctor, back pain can be managed to enable patients to carry on with their day-to-day activities. Below are some important things you should know about back pain.
Table of Contents
Causes of Back Pain
The human back is comprised of tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones, and discs, which work together to provide the body with support and allow a person to move. A problem with one or several of these components could lead to back pain. In some cases, it is not possible to tell what causes back pain. But in most cases, people experience back pain when discs in their spine get damaged. The damage can occur as a result of strain, poor posture, arthritis, kidney problems, cancer of the spine, and sleep disorders, among other causes.
Some of the risk factors that are associated with back pain include occupational activities, poor physical fitness, smoking, older age, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and medical conditions such as cancer and arthritis. It is worth noting that back pain is more prevalent among women than among men. This can be explained by factors such as stress, anxiety, mood disorders, and hormonal factors.
Symptoms of Back Pain
Some common symptoms of back pain include:
- Muscle pain
- Stabbing or shooting pain
- Pain that radiates from the lower back down to the legs
- Pain that gets worse with standing, walking, lifting, or bending
- Pain that improves when a patient reclines
In most cases, lower back pain can go away without medical treatment. However, you should seek the attention of a doctor if:
- The pain persists for more than a few weeks
- The pain affects the bladder or bowel
- The pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever
- The pain resulted from trauma
- The pain is accompanied by tingling or numbness in the legs
- If the pain is accompanied by weight loss that cannot be explained
Diagnosis and Treatment
The doctor may conduct a physical exam to assess your ability to perform basic tasks such as walking, standing, and lifting your legs. If there are reasons to suspect a serious underlying cause, the doctor may ask you to go for further tests, including X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, blood tests, and even bone tests. Depending on the cause of your back pain, there are a number of ways in which it can be treated, including pain medication, physical therapy, and even surgery.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that although back pain can go away on its own, there are several circumstances in which it may force you to seek the assistance of a pain management doctor. If you are looking for a reliable pain management doctor to help you with back pain issues, Republic Spine and Pain is the best facility to visit. Contact them today for more information.