If your back is a pain, you aren’t alone. Back pain is common, affecting nearly 100 million people in the United States each year.
While feeling an occasional twinge in your back is pretty normal, back pain can also be debilitating. A 2019 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one in four people in the U.S. workforce experience back pain—and as many as 10 percent of those people had to quit work, change jobs, or modify work activities because of their pain.
Wondering whether your back pain is worth a trip to the doctor? Read up on the topic below.
The basics of back pain
Back pain varies quite a bit. For one, it can be felt in different parts of the spine, including the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and sacrum. Essentially, that means you might feel back pain from your neck down to your buttocks.
Back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute back pain generally occurs after an injury but may also pop up after simply moving the wrong way or sitting for too long. Chronic back pain recurs for at least three months and can be caused by many things, ranging from poor posture to a spinal defect.
Pain may also be felt in different ways. Back pain can range from mild to severe, and it may be described as:
- A dull ache
- Pain that comes and goes
- Pain that’s constant
- Pain that worsens when in certain positions
- Sharp pain
- Shooting pain
- Throbbing pain
If your pain is mild, only happens occasionally, or has just begun, you may find relief from basic at-home measures, such as taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or anti-inflammatory, resting, or applying heat or cold to your back. In many cases, these treatment options can provide relief, but sometimes additional care may be needed.
When back pain merits medical attention
If you’re experiencing back pain regularly, it’s worth talking about with your primary care provider (PCP) at an upcoming visit. Your PCP may be able to offer suggestions for preventing pain or ways to treat it effectively.
What other signs indicate you should see a medical provider about your back pain? First, talk with your provider if you’re experiencing back pain that sticks around for a week or longer. You should also a see a doctor if:
- Your pain extends into other parts of your body, such as your legs.
- Your pain is accompanied by other symptoms, including a fever, problems urinating, unintended weight loss, or weakness and numbness in the legs or feet.
- Your pain is related to a fall or injury.
- Your pain is severe and isn’t improved by pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications.
- Your pain suddenly worsens.
In some cases, underlying infections, such as kidney stones or a urinary tract infection, can cause back pain. When that’s the case, your PCP will create a treatment plan to get rid of the infection and alleviate symptoms.
In other cases, you may be referred to a specialist for a conclusive diagnosis, additional care, or even surgery. This may include an OB/GYN to investigate whether endometriosis is causing back pain or an endocrinologist if osteoporosis may be to blame.
Any of these symptoms can indicate that your back pain is caused by something more serious than simple wear and tear. It’s especially important to seek prompt medical attention if you experience a fever along with back pain, since this combination of symptoms can indicate an infection.
What doctor to see for back pain
If you’re experiencing back pain that is impacting your daily life, your best first move is to schedule an appointment with an interventional pain management specialist.
During this visit, the provider will review your symptoms and your medical history, then conduct a thorough physical exam, paying close attention to where and how you’re experiencing pain. The provider may also order imaging tests to see if a structural problem is causing the pain.
Pain management physicians are specially trained to treat chronic pain, including back pain. They do so in a unique, noninvasive way, offering nonsurgical procedures to alleviate the spine, nerve and musculoskeletal pain that can contribute to back pain.
During these procedures, a pain management specialist uses different techniques to block or prevent pain, including injections, ablation or electrical stimulation.
If noninvasive procedures don’t provide relief from your back pain, your next step may be to see a surgeon. Surgical treatment for back pain is typically considered only as a last resort, when other treatment options don’t help or when pain is particularly debilitating. There are many types of surgical procedures that may provide relief.
Have back pain that just won’t go away? You don’t have to grin and bear it. Take the first step toward relief today by checking in with an experienced provider.
Next steps
Providers at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group offer a full spectrum of treatment options for back pain, including surgery when needed. Call 770-848-2225 to learn more or schedule an appointment with our Total Spine program.