Oh, My Aching Back!

You don't have to live with back pain. We have spine specialists who know how to diagnose the cause of your pain and provide the right treatment for you.

If you're like most people, you'll experience back pain at some point in your life. It may be mild, dull, annoying pain, or persistent, severe, disabling pain. You need to know when and where to go to get the help you need.

As common as back pain is, it's still tricky to diagnose. So how do you know when to call the doctor, go to a chiropractor or just take a pain medicine and rest? That depends on the type of pain, location of the pain and what caused it.

• If you're in a traumatic accident and have severe back pain, go to an emergency department or call your primary care doctor right away. You may have a serious injury that needs immediate treatment.
• If it's due to a lifting or twisting injury or another strenuous or overuse injury, you may try a few days of rest and an anti-inflammatory medication. If it does not improve, call your primary care doctor.
• If you have an accident that causes back pain and also leg weakness or incontinence, call your doctor right away. You may have a more serious injury.
• If the pain extends down one leg, then you may have a herniated disc that is pinching a nerve. Call your doctor or see an orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon for a more detailed examination.
• If other treatments do not stop the pain in your back or leg, then you may need to be evaluated for a herniated disc, degenerated disc or other condition.

What Kind of Doctor Do You Need?

Your primary care doctor may be able to diagnose and treat less serious back problems. For more serious problems, you can turn to one of our spine specialists.

Our spine specialists include orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. These surgeons have specialties in treating back problems, and they perform some of the most advanced spinal surgeries.

You also may see one of our physiatrists, a doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists treat a wide range of problems, from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries, and focus on restoring your function and quality of life.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 610-402-CARE.

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