You can’t live without your spine; it involves almost everything your body does. A straight back and strong spine are prerequisites for good posture. A sturdy back is essential for correct posture while seated or standing. As a bonus, you will be free to twist and bend in all the right places. Unfortunately, you can have trouble moving around if your spine is hurt. As a result, you may feel nothing at all or even become paralyzed. If your spine’s health declines, your body will probably reveal it. The following symptoms indicate a need for medical attention from Jeff Pan M.D.
Long-term pain
Whether your pain is persistent might be classified under one of many headings. Acute discomfort often lasts no more than a few weeks. Most of the time, the underlying problem will resolve itself, and additional action is unnecessary to ease the person’s distress.
Subacute pain would be considered persistent pain that lasts longer than four weeks. In certain cases, subacute discomfort might linger for a year. Most of these aches and pains are mechanical, suggesting they can be treated medically rather than surgically. A trip to the chiropractor can be all that is required sometimes. Your chiropractor should create an effective, personalized treatment plan. After conducting a medical examination, learning your history, and taking X-rays, they will determine the length of treatment depending on the findings of your condition.
After that, chronic pain lasts more than 12 weeks and does not go away no matter how well the underlying injury or cause is addressed. They cause around 20% of annual cases of low back pain and are the undisputed kings of backache. Chronic pain of any kind requires immediate attention from a doctor.
Constant lower-leg pain and numbness
Issues usually cause leg and foot numbness and weakness that persists over a long period in the spine. Most of the time, the inability to control or feel your legs results from a herniated disc putting pressure on a nerve. Numbness in the legs often comes with hand and foot tingling. Patients with this illness also tend to have weak muscles, slowed reflexes, and impaired coordination.
Cervical radiculopathy, or a pinched nerve, is a possible underlying reason. Compression of the cervical spine causes damage to the nerve roots, which in turn causes severe pain. If the symptoms have persisted for weeks, a CT scan of the cervical spine may be beneficial.
Problems with the digestive system and urinary system
A spinal problem might cause frequent trips to the bathroom to empty your bowels or bladder. It is often due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Damage to the spinal nerves is usually the root of the problem. Constipation and cramping are other symptoms of the illness.
Damage to the nervous system may also alter a person’s ability to digest food and feel pain in the stomach region. The higher the value here, the more probable spinal cord tissue has been injured. Nonetheless, a checkup with a specialist in spinal health is the best option.
You should see a back and neck pain specialist if you have encountered any of the symptoms discussed here. A spine expert may be the best person to identify a specific spinal issue. Don’t wait until your problem gets worse.
