Is your back pain something serious? Or are you better off giving it a few days and hoping it gets better? How long do you wait?

Are you like me a bit reluctant to do something about aches and pains in your back. I usually take the attitude that its just some muscle tiredness and will be fine in a few days. But when is this a bad approach and when should you see a health professional about your bad back?

1. Bad Pain

I can´t think of a good pain but some types are definitely worse than others.
The type of pain can tell a health professional a lot about what is the problem. Is it a throbbing/pulsating type of pain that you might associate with some kind of circulation issue. If the pain is made worse by moving in certain positions you´d typically think it was some kind of musculo-skeletal problem. If you have deep boring pain, pain that is continuous or pain that is more than uncomfortable then consult someone about it.

2. Weight Loss

If you have put on weight recently or lost weight recently and can´t explain it, then go and see someone. There might be something going on with your metabolism/digestive tract that needs examining.

3. You aren’t getting Better

Sure after a day or two you can think it will just sort it self out. The body is an amazing thing right and can heel itself from many different problems. The problem is sometimes your body needs a bit of help. Even if you are getting better but its really slowly then I´d recommend seeing someone. Manipulation has been shown to get patients pain free substantially quicker than in cases when it was just left to slowly get better by itself.

4. Re-occurring symptoms

If it’s the first time and after a few days its better, it’s all good right. But what about if every year or even every month you get this problem? It´s time to see someone about it. This is one of those cases that I see in my clinic. People have bravely dealt with episodic pain over a long time. The problem is that often these episodes are a sign of a more serious condition that could have been avoided.

5. There is Other Problems as well as Back Pain

Sometimes there are other things going on as well as the pain. Sometimes they can be pretty normal e.g. a bit of numbness or tingling in the leg when the nerves in the lower back are irritated. Other times they can indicate something more serious that needs immediate attention. If you are having problems with the toilet, any kind of vision changes, unusual headaches or something else as well then consult with a healthcare professional now.

6. Back pain is stopping you doing things

If your back pain is stopping you from doing things that are important to you then its time to see someone. If that’s work, sport or even just playing with your children then its worth asking someone about it.

If you have any doubt, then call your local healthcare professional and ask them if they thinks its appropriate to have a consultation. The above points are recommendations based on questions I get asked in my clinic.

Jeremy Leicester D.C. Madrid Quiropráctico