4 Signs It’s Time to Consult a Spine Specialist

When back pain happens, a lot of people believe it will resolve with time.  They turn to anti-inflammatories and sometimes pain medications, hoping it will “just go away”.  But that’s rarely the case.

At Advanced Spine Center, we’ve seen people come to us in unbearable pain.  They’ve put off seeing a spine specialist for reasons like the one described above.  Often, they’re surprised when the pain becomes chronic and unmanageable.

There are 4 crucial signs it’s time to consult a spine specialist we want you to know about.  We also want you to know that drugs aren’t going to solve the problem.  Masking pain can make it worse, in the long run, damage your liver and stomach lining and even lead to addiction (if opioids are involved).

We hope you’ll read what follows with an open mind and call on us, should you be exhibiting the 4 signs it’s time to consult a spine specialist.

1. Pain in the extremities.

When pain that’s been localized in the back begins to affect your extremities, especially when it radiates from the lower back downward, an underlying pathology is at work.

Your body is telling you (via your nerves) that something’s wrong.  Pain radiating down the back of the legs indicates the implication of the sciatic nerve.  This type of pain is often caused by a herniated disc, something that requires the immediate attention of a spine specialist.

2. Physical therapy hasn’t done the trick.

If you’ve been attending a physical therapist and haven’t seen a permanent resolution of your back pain, it’s probably time to consult with a spine specialist.  The work of a physical therapist is to help you strengthen key muscles groups like the muscles of the core and gluteus, to take the load off your spine.

While physical therapy is enormously helpful for many, if you’re body hasn’t responded the way you’d hoped, you need to take the next step and seek diagnosis for the root cause of your pain.

3. Nagging pain.

An injury to the body presents as acute pain, which subsides with treatment, stretching, or non-invasive therapies (above).  But when your body doesn’t recover and the pain nags at you constantly for weeks, or months, you’ve crossed over into chronic pain that demands a diagnostic evaluation.

4. Diminished quality of life.

Here’s where the rubber really meets the road – when pain inhibits you from enjoying activities you once enjoyed.  When you’re unable to perform simple daily activities like getting up the stairs or getting into your vehicle, you’ve reached a point at which you need professional support.

Being aware of the 4 signs it’s time to consult a spine surgeon is crucial for those suffering from back pain.  Pretending it’s not there, or that it’s going to go away on its own can cost you a world of unnecessary pain and possibly, more serious medical interventions.  These can be avoided if you act before the pain becomes chronic or unbearable.

Advanced Spine Centre is here to help.  Contact us for support.