Back Pain Treatment Questions and Answers
Back pain can be serious, so get medical help today. Get the right treatment you need and start living life again to its fullest. Sunshine State Medical Inc. is home to a team of leading healthcare professionals who are here to help treat your back pain in Orlando, FL. For more information, please call us or request an appointment online.
It is very common for anyone to experience back pain at some point in their life. As such, if you are dealing with significant back pain that is hard to bear or is not getting better, we would be pleased to see you at Sunshine State Medical Inc. for an appointment to determine the cause of your pain and provide treatment to relieve and improve your symptoms.
What causes back pain?
Back pain can occur due to several different causes, ranging from injuries or degenerative and chronic conditions to poor posture or aging. With that in mind, some common causes of back pain include the following:
- Abnormal curvature of the spine, also known as scoliosis
- Bulging disc
- Cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve in the spine
- Degenerative disc disease
- Endometriosis
- Herniated disc, which is also called a slipped or ruptured disc
- Kidney stones or infections
- Lack of exercise or physical activity
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle spasms, strains, or tension
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis of the spine
- Osteoporosis
- Poor posture or lifting heavy objects with poor form
- Pregnancy
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint inflammation and wear
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis, wherein a bone in the spine slips forward and out of place
- Sprained ligament
- Whiplash from an auto accident
How do I know if my back pain is serious?
Whether your back pain is chronic or acute, if you are experiencing ongoing pain in your back for longer than two weeks without any improvements, you should seek medical care as you are likely dealing with a serious issue.
However, the signs that your back pain is serious can vary according to whether you are dealing with an acute injury or a chronic condition. Concerning chronic back pain, your pain may be serious if you notice any of the following signs:
- Difficulty concentrating or performing routine tasks because of the pain
- Inability to perform routine movements, such as walking, climbing, or standing up on a daily basis
- Pain that lasts three months or longer
- Trouble sleeping
- Unhealthy reliance on pain relief medication
If you are noticing any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention from a qualified doctor who can refer you to a specialist or work with you to develop a treatment plan for managing and reducing your chronic back pain.
Some symptoms of serious acute back pain include the following:
- High fever
- Loss of bladder function
- Pain that results from a fall or severe blow to your back
- Severe stomach pain
- Sudden spike in discomfort
- Unbearable pain
In the above cases, you may be dealing with a medical emergency and should go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.
How do you know if back pain is muscular?
Back pain can be from an injury or condition involving the spinal cord, or it can be muscular. However, it can be challenging to know whether your back pain is muscular or spinal-related.
With that in mind, if you are dealing with muscular back pain, you will likely experience pain with movement and at rest that is either dull, aching, or sharp. Pain stemming from the spinal cord will likely include the same symptoms as muscular back pain but will also occur with electrical and radiating pain, as well as significant feelings of weakness.
If you are unsure if your back pain is related to a muscular problem or a problem with the spinal cord, our doctors and medical professionals at Sunshine State Medical Inc. would be happy to evaluate your symptoms and determine the location and cause of your pain.
When should I go to the doctor for back pain?
If you are dealing with chronic back pain that has lasted three months or longer, you should see a doctor for treatment, especially if that pain makes it difficult to get through your day and perform routine tasks. You should also see a doctor if you have recently suffered an injury to your back without any improvements in symptoms two weeks after the injury.
For an appointment or more information about back pain treatment at Sunshine State Medical Inc., we welcome you to call us, schedule an appointment through our website, or visit our clinic. We serve patients from Orlando FL, Kissimmee FL, Oviedo FL, Lake Nona FL, Casselberry FL, Deltona FL, Winter Park FL, and Boggy Creek FL. Looking forward to serve you!
