Back Pain
- Posted on: Jan 1 2015
Back pain is an extremely common complaint. Most people will experience low back pain at least once during their lives. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work. Symptoms of back pain may include:
1. Muscle ache
2. Shooting or stabbing pain
3. Pain that radiates down your leg
4. Limited flexibility or range of motion of the back
5. Inability to stand up straight
Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self- care. Although the pain may take several weeks to disappear completely, you should notice some improvement within the first 72 hours of self-care. If not, see your doctor.
ALWAYS see your doctor if the back pain you are experiencing is a result of an accident. Whether it is a slip and fall, automobile accident, construction accident, or a work related accident, make sure you get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Remember, injuries that result from traumatic accidents quite often may appear insignificant at first (symptoms may not appear for days or possibly weeks after the accident). As a general rule, the sooner you receive treatment for injuries resulting from an accident, the sooner you will get better. However, if you wait the condition may become dire!
In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Seek immediate care if your back pain:
1. Causes new bowel or bladder problems
2. Is associated with pain or throbbing (pulsation) in the abdomen, or fever
3. Is constant or intense, especially at night or when you lie down
4. Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee
5. Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
6. Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
7. Occurs with swelling or redness on your back
8. If you start having back pain for the first time after the age of 50
9. Back pain associated with a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.
Conditions commonly linked to back pain include the following:
Muscle or ligament strain- repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. If you’re in poor physical condition, constant strain on your back may cause painful muscle spasms.
Bulging or ruptured disks-disks act as cushions between the individual bones (vertebrae) in your spine. Sometimes, the soft material inside a disk may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve. The presence of a bulging or ruptured disk on an x-ray doesn’t automatically equal back pain, though. Disk disease is often found incidentally. Many people who don’t have back pain turn out to have bulging or ruptured disks when they undergo spine x-rays for some other reason.
Arthritis-osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
Osteoporosis-compression fractures of your spine’s vertebrae can occur if your bones become porous and brittle.
Dr. Jeff J. Mollins, has been practicing in Brooklyn for over 25 years. He specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and documentation of injuries sustained by patients involved in accidents. As clearly mentioned above, please see Dr. Mollins if you experience ANY back pain as it relates to an accident. Dr. Mollins will first take a concise history. He will then perform a comprehensive orthopedic and neurological physical examination. He will refer his patients for any needed diagnostic testing (mri, ct scan, etc.). Dr. Mollins will then place his patients on a comprehensive, proper treatment regimen so they can attain wellness as expeditiously as possible. Dr. Mollins works with a group of referred medical specialists, so no matter how severe the injury is, there will always be a competent doctor to treat the condition. Dr. Jeff and all of his referred medical specialists are workers compensation certified (by New York State). So if you are injured on the job, you can be treated at no cost. Also, if you are unable to work due to your injury, you can be compensated for lost wages while recuperating. When (and if) you return to work, you can still be treated for free. So please be safe during the holiday season. If you are unfortunate and have an accident, call Dr. Mollins immediately. He will usually see you the same day. Have a blessed holiday season!
Posted in: Back Pain Treatment
