If you experience on and off back pain, you are not alone. Many adults have pain in their back while doing certain chores, moving in awkward positions, or even putting on their shoes. In some cases the pain is not serious and will go away, however, there are instances where the pain is serious and you should seek care from a spine specialist like Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic in Alexandria, VA.
Short-Term Pain vs. Chronic Pain
Short-term pain is usually known as acute pain. This happens when we exercise too vigorously one day or help a friend move furniture, and it comes on quickly. At the same time, it generally improves within a couple of weeks using over-the-counter medicine and ice. We learn not to engage in the activities that caused the discomfort and move on.
Chronic pain, however, is pain that lasts more than 6 weeks. The pain can occur all the time or come and go. Recurrent pain like this can be serious. It will seem to be acute, but it will continue to get worse over time.
Once chronic pain affects your mobility, your health, and your quality of life, this is serious back pain.
When To Seek Care For Your Back Pain
Whether your pain is acute or chronic, if there is no relief from symptoms after several weeks, it’s time to see Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic. Chronic pain will not improve without some medical intervention.
Some specific cases where back pain could be serious include the following:
- Having pain in other parts of your body
- Developing a fever and numbness
- Progressive numbness or weakness in the legs
- Sexual dysfunction
- Progressive worsening of pain despite medication and rest
- Blood in your urine or stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Inability to urinate of have a bowel movement
- If you have experienced any trauma
- Balance problems
There are many medical conditions that may be causing these symptoms in conjunction with your back pain, and only a professional like the physicians of Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic can do a proper diagnosis.
Don’t procrastinate if you have any of the above symptoms with acute or chronic back pain. It could be serious.
Contact Anderson Orthopeedic Clinic at (703) 892-6500 as soon as possible to find out if your back pain is serious.