Back pain can be caused by a variety of different underlying conditions. Perhaps you pulled a muscle in your back while cleaning out the gutters over the weekend. You may experience soreness for a few days, but it’s nothing that a few days of rest and an ice pack can’t address. Other people may be plagued by chronic spine conditions that don’t seem to go away at a normal rate. If you feel that you are experiencing pain in your back that has not subsided over the course of several weeks, despite at-home treatments like over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs, you should schedule a consultation with a doctor.

How to Get a Diagnosis

For an initial diagnosis regarding your back pain, visit your primary care physician. Though your doctor may not specialize in problems of the back, he or she likely has enough experience with common spine issues like strains and sprains to evaluate your condition and provide you with a diagnosis. Some physicians may decide to refer patients to spine specialists if they think the condition is severe or requires more evaluation. However, your primary care doctor is always a good place to start.

What to Expect at the Consultation

All doctors will approach the diagnostic process somewhat differently, but you should expect a physical exam where the doctor may palpate areas of your spine to check for tenderness, swelling, or other anatomical abnormalities. Your doctor may also ask you to perform certain movements in order to evaluate your strength, flexibility, range of motion, and reflexes.

Describing Your Symptoms

One of the most important parts of the diagnostic process is describing your symptoms to your doctor in as much detail as possible. Simply saying, “My back hurts,” is usually not enough for the doctor to gauge where the pain is originating and what might be causing it. Withholding information can lead to an incorrect diagnosis which at best will leave you with an ineffective treatment and at worst can make your condition even worse. Describe exactly where you feel the pain and whether it stays in once place or seems to travel from your back into your extremities. Describe the nature of the pain. Is it sharp? Tingling? Do you experience numbness? Joint stiffness? And finally, be sure to describe any activities that seem to exacerbate your symptoms. For instance, is your pain worse when sitting? When walking? Your doctor will need all of this information to properly evaluate your condition.

Starting Your Treatment Regimen

Once a diagnosis regarding your back pain has been confirmed, your doctor will likely prescribe a conservative, nonsurgical treatment regimen aimed at reducing your pain and helping you to regain mobility. This can include anything from prescription pain medication to physical therapy. Always stay in close communication with your doctor regarding the progress and efficacy of these treatments. It make take some trial and error before an effective treatment plan is established, so try to remain patient and positive throughout the treatment process.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on maintaining a healthy back.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on choosing surgical centers. http://www.laserspinewellness.com/

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on maintaining a healthy back.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Back Pain, Medical Treatment, Neck Pain