By Admin 
Has back pain become intolerable? Maybe you’ve shrugged it off, muscled through, and suffered daily without attempting to see a doctor. Maybe your general practitioner was less than helpful when you explained your discomfort. In either case, it’s time to finally see the right kind of doctor for back pain.
The truth is that general practitioners often don’t have backgrounds in pain symptoms or pain management. While some will refer you to a back specialist for pain, others may simply dismiss pain or provide advice to “take it easy” to avoid further strain. Who should you really see about back pain? Pain doctors specialize in identifying and treating the root causes of severe back pain. Here’s what you need to know on your pain journey.
When to See a Doctor for Back Pain?
First, let’s discuss when it’s clear that it’s time to stop ignoring back pain. In truth, there’s never a bad time to speak with a pain specialist if something hurts. However, there are some signs that you’re in critical territory. Make an appointment soon if you’re living with the following:
- Pain is lasting more than two weeks.
- “Old” pain that you’ve been self-managing for years has suddenly gotten worse.
- You have radiating back pain that is traveling or branching out to other areas of the body.
- You’re waking up stiff, inflamed, and unable to get out of bed in the morning.
- Pain is accompanied by numbness and tingling.
- Your pain levels tick up when you’re sleeping or reclining.
- Your back pain was caused by an untreated injury or trauma that likely involved a sprain or fracture.
- You have sudden or shooting pains that come and go.
The way that pain is impacting your quality of life is also an indicator that it’s time to see a pain specialist. For example, you may be missing work due to back pain. In addition, you may be unable to exercise or perform tasks around the house due to a fear of triggering and exacerbating your back pain. These are signs that pain is beginning to dictate your life.
What Type of Doctor Treats Back Pain?
If you’re wondering what doctor to see for back pain, the answer is your local pain specialist. A pain doctor’s primary objective is to identify, diagnose, and treat pain using an individualized plan. While your ordinary doctor may not have been helpful, you can rest assured that a pain specialist will be receptive to your concerns about back pain. The best specialist for back pain is one who uses a multidisciplinary approach for pain management.
How can a spine specialist near me help with my back pain? Based on the source and severity of your back pain, your pain specialist will create a personalized plan that considers your lifestyle and medical history. While some back pain doctors focus more on long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation, others are there to support your need for immediate pain relief using treatments like nerve blocks and injections. The final goal is always to reduce pain and restore function to help you live an active, healthy life.
Chronic Back Pain Doesn’t Have to Rule Your Life
There are dozens of reasons why you may be struggling with chronic back pain. It’s the goal of a pain specialist to help you find the best solution for managing your symptoms. Back pain can be caused by a myriad of factors that include sprains, herniated or ruptured discs, spinal stenosis, poor posture, strain, osteoporosis, arthritis, stress, and more. In many cases, complete pain elimination is possible. For times when it’s not, pain specialists can provide appropriate treatments that can reduce the discomfort associated with hereditary or degenerative spine issues. Begin your journey to pain reduction with help from a local pain doctor today.