57639.jpegBack pain is a common complaint, affecting millions of people every year. While most cases of back pain are not serious and can be treated with home remedies, certain signs may indicate a more serious underlying condition.

As Georgia’s first private practice management group established in 1995,The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists is a team of the best pain management specialists who offer comprehensive evaluation and non-surgical treatment of spinal pain to all our patients. We specialize in diagnosing and treating individuals suffering from acute and chronic pain conditions.

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Knowing when to see a doctor for back pain is important to receive proper diagnosis and treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your doctor:

1. Persistent Or Severe Pain

Back pain will mostly subside on its own within a few weeks of rest and home treatments. However, if you experience intense pain that does not improve with rest or over-the-counter pain medications, it may be a sign of a more serious condition such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. Persistent pain that lasts for more than four weeks should also be evaluated by a doctor.

2. Pain That Spreads To Other Parts Of The Body

Back pain that radiates to other areas of the body, such as the legs or arms, may be a sign of nerve compression or damage. This can be caused by conditions such as sciatica (nerve pain), spinal cord injury, or pinched nerves. If you experience pain or numbness in other areas of your body along with your back pain, it is important to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

3. Numbness Or Weakness In The Legs

If you experience weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs, it could be a sign of nerve damage or compression. This can be caused by conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or sciatica. It is important to seek medical attention if you have these symptoms along with back pain.

4. Loss Of Bowel Or Bladder Control

If you experience difficulty controlling your bowels or bladder, it could be a sign of a rare but serious condition such as cauda equina syndrome (severe compression of the nerve roots in the spine), which requires immediate medical attention. This condition occurs when the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord are compressed and can lead to permanent nerve damage if not treated promptly.

5. Fever Or Inflammation

Fever or inflammation along with back pain may be a sign of a spinal infection, such as a spinal abscess or vertebral osteomyelitis. These conditions can be serious and require prompt medical treatment to prevent complications.

6. Back Pain After Trauma

If you experience back pain after a fall, car accident, or other traumatic event, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. This could be a sign of a spinal fracture, which can cause further damage if left untreated.

7. Unexplained Weight Loss

Losing weight without trying may seem like a good thing, but if it is accompanied by back pain, it could be a sign of an underlying condition such as spinal infections, spinal tumors, or cancer. Unintended weight loss should always be discussed with a doctor to rule out any serious causes.

What To Expect During Your Doctor's Appointment 

During your appointment atThe Physicians, our team of experts will take a thorough medical history and conduct a physical exam to assess your condition. We may also order imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to get a better view of the structures in your back and help diagnose any underlying conditions. 

Once a diagnosis is made, we will develop an individualized treatment plan to relieve your pain and improve your overall health.

Treatment Options Available at The Physicians

AtThe Physicians, we offer various treatment options for back pain, including injections, nerve blocks, and stimulators.

Injections

  • Caudal Epidural Injections: Administered steroid-anesthetic medication through the sacrum to alleviate swelling and inflammation of spinal nerves, offering significant relief for chronic back pain sufferers in just minutes.
  • Discography: This diagnostic procedure helps determine the source of back pain by injecting a contrast dye into specific discs in the spine and examining them under X-ray.
  • Facet Joint Injections: A minimally invasive method that combines a corticosteroid and anesthetic, injected directly into the spine's facet joints under X-ray guidance, to relieve pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, injury, or wear and tear.
  • Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections: This procedure involves injecting steroid medication into the epidural space to reduce inflammation and alleviate low back and radiating leg pain.
  • Radiofrequency Neurotomy: A minimally invasive technique that alleviates chronic pain by using heat from radio waves to damage the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals, providing significant relief.
  • Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injections: A non-surgical option that involves injecting corticosteroids into the epidural space of the thoracic region to reduce inflammation and swelling of the spinal nerves, thereby relieving pain.
  • Thoracic Transforaminal Epidural Injections: A minimally invasive procedure that alleviates upper to mid-back pain by injecting steroids into the epidural space near the exiting thoracic nerve root to reduce inflammation and numb the nerve.

Nerve Blocks

  • Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks: A nerve block injection for chronic low back pain that helps block the sympathetic nerves responsible for pain signals between the brain and body.

Stimulators

  • Spinal Cord Stimulation: Uses electrodes placed near the spinal cord to send low levels of electrical energy, interfering with pain signals in the back, arms, and legs.

Experience Personalized Care At The Physicians

Back pain is a common problem that can have a variety of underlying causes. While most cases can be treated with rest and home remedies, it is important to see a doctor if you experience severe or persistent pain, pain that spreads to other parts of the body, numbness or weakness in the legs, loss of bowel or bladder control, or fever with back pain.

Since 1995,The Physicians Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists has been helping patients take their lives back from chronic pain. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing individualized care and helping patients find relief from their back pain. Don't let back pain control your life – schedule an appointment with us today! 

Suffering from back pain? Don't wait – seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent further damage and find relief. Contact us at (770) 679 7000 orschedule a consultation with our experienced team today!

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