Back pain is quite common, and people usually do not take it seriously, thinking it to be due to strenuous activity, bad posture, stress, lack of exercise, or weak muscles.
However, in some cases, the back pain does not go away on its own. On the contrary, it becomes worse. It can affect your daily activities and cause difficulty sitting, standing, and walking.
It is time you stop ignoring your back problem and consult a spine doctor. Persistent pain may be an indication of a serious underlying spinal issue. Prompt diagnosis and timely treatment will save you from further complications and extensive treatments.
Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney, one of the best neurosurgeon in Mumbai, specializing in spine and brain surgery, stresses the need for early diagnosis and treatment for back pain to minimize the risk of developing chronic pain and disability.
He is an expert spine surgeon in Mumbai, well-versed in minimally invasive spine surgery and CVJ surgery. You can visit him for consultation at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, and Neurolife Brain & Spine Clinic, Mumbai.
Why delaying treatment for back pain is not a good idea?
In the past, people were afraid of spine surgery and considered it complicated and unsuccessful. But that does not apply in today’s times. Nowadays, spine surgery is one of the most-result-oriented procedures having a success rate of around 95%.
Also, spine doctors mainly treat back pain with non-surgical, conservative treatment options before considering surgery. That’s why Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney always advises patients not to neglect back pain as later it might need more extensive treatments, like surgery. Furthermore, sometimes untreated back pain may lead to permanent nerve damage, numbness, or paralysis.
Back pain could be a sign of something more serious
Dismissing your back pain can land you in trouble. It may be an indication of a more serious issue than a simple muscle strain. Chronic back pain is a symptom of compression fracture, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, cervical radiculopathy, etc. All of which require treatment from an experienced spine doctor.
Some common symptoms associated with spine problems
- Pain
- Spasms
- Numbness and tingling
- Loss of sensation to the hands and feet
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Breathing problems
- Loss of movement
- Vomiting
- Intense stinging sensation
Given below are a few signs and symptoms that indicate immediate medical intervention.
Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney, a prominent spine surgeon in Mumbai, says, “Spine-health should not be neglected as it can cause severe complications.” He asks people to seek medical help in case of the below symptoms.
Weakness in legs or tingling
If you feel tingling and numbness in the legs along with back pain, it could be due to a herniated disc or pinched nerve. If not appropriately treated, these issues can cause excruciating pain and loss of sensation.
Fortunately, 90 percent of the cases do not require surgery and can be managed with conservative treatments if diagnosed early. Being proactive about your health helps in fast and effective recovery.
Pain with fever
If your back pain is accompanied by fever, please visit your doctor without delay. Fever could indicate that your body is fighting an infection or there is a severe complication due to back pain.
Pain for more than ten days
It is common for us to occasionally deal with minor back pain and dismiss it as a sprain or muscle pull. However, if your pain persists for more than ten days, you should seek medical attention. You should consult a spine specialist if the pain continues for this long to determine the cause of the problem and the best line of treatment.
Pain with loss of bladder control
Contact a spine surgeon as soon as possible if there is a lack of bladder control with back pain. Incontinence could be a sign of severe issue, and you should seek medical help immediately.
Why should you avoid neglecting back pain?
A very high percentage of people neglect back pain, and leave it untreated, which could lead to the following issues:
Damage to the nerves
The spine protects the nervous system. The cause of the back pain could be nerve compression, leading to permanent damage. Early diagnosis can resolve the issue with medications, but permanent damage could require surgery.
Damage to the organs
Mid-back pain accompanied by nausea and fever could indicate a kidney infection. If left untreated, it may cause permanent damage to the kidneys. Also, back pain could be a symptom of some serious condition, such as cancer, osteoarthritis, or spinal infection.
Decreased quality of life
Chronic back pain causes poor quality of life. It restricts you from leading an active life, hampers your sleep, causes irritability, and affects your work.
Change in posture
You might slouch if you have constant, dull back pain. This position temporarily relieves the pain. However, constant slouching makes your spine and muscles used to this position. Even the organs get compressed due to this position, leading to several other problems such as respiratory complications and arthritis.
Conclusion
You should visit a doctor if your back pain does not subside within a week, even with rest. Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney, one of the best neurosurgeon in India, will provide accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment recommendations for acute and chronic back pain. You can call or visit the doctor to learn more about non-surgical spine treatment and minimally invasive surgeries.