The occasional sore back, especially after a long day doing any kind of physical labor, is common and not a cause for concern. However, if you find yourself frequently complaining about a stiff or sore back, or if the pain is severe and coupled with other symptoms, it could be time to see a doctor.
Chronic back pain is common and it’s notoriously hard to fix, but it’s not always cause for immediate concern. Visits to your chiropractor can go a long way in managing these problems and improve them over time. However, there are some occasions when back pain is an indicator of a larger problem. Here are a few things you should look out for.
Fever and Back Pain
Back pain coupled with a fever can indicate a serious infection. If you have an achy back and fever during the flu, you may not need to worry. But if the fever does not break, you may be dealing with something more serious than the flu. Be sure to see your doctor immediately if you experience an unresponsive fever and back pain.
Trauma and Back Pain
This may be obvious, but if you are experiencing back pain as a result of trauma (a car accident, for example) you should see a doctor. The problem may be a simple fix, or it may need a more comprehensive course of treatment. Be sure to get this taken care of quickly so the problem does not get worse.
Numbness or Tingling
If that “pins-and-needles” feeling won’t go away, it could indicate some pretty significant back problems. The presence of numbness and tingling is a sign of nerve damage. This means you should have a herniated disc or spinal stenosis causing pressure on the nerves in your back. Be sure to report these feelings to a specialist.
Night Back Pain
If you are experiencing no back pain during the day but find yourself woken up by back pain in the night, you could be dealing with disc degeneration or a sprain. In some cases, this can be a sign of a serious problem like a tumor or cancer. Be sure to get this problem checked out by a specialist.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Unexpected or unexplained weight loss coupled with back pain could indicate possible infection or cancer in your back. Be sure to get this problem looked at immediately.
Are you experiencing chronic back pain? Here at Heritage Integrative Healthcare, we employ a number of treatments and management methods to help you get back to your life – without back pain. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with our chiropractors here at Heritage IHC, contact our Falmouth office today!