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When to see a doctor for back pain

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Dr. Kunal Shah
When to see a doctor for back pain

According to a study by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology: approximately 80% of the world population develops back pain at some point in their lives. This means that ailments related to the spine or dorsal, lumbar or cervical muscles are among the most recurrent at an international level.

Surely almost everyone who is reading this text has had, at some point, some back pain, and it is also likely that many of them have wondered whether or not it was necessary to go to the doctor.

Although not in all cases it is essential to consult a professional, there are times when it is most advisable to do so and others when a visit to a specialist is urgent.

Guidelines for deciding to go to the doctor in case of back pain

Next, we leave a series of guidelines that, if they occur, can be key when deciding that measures must be taken and go to the doctor:

·       If the pain in question occurs for the first time and with intensity, or if its characteristics or location are different from those of previous occasions.

·       If the discomfort is so severe that over-the-counter pain relievers do not relieve it, or regardless of the severity, the pain does not improve in 3 days or does not go away in 7.

·       If the discomfort extends through the arm or leg and is more intense in these routes than in the back or neck.

·       If the pain is accompanied by loss of strength or changes in sensitivity.

·       If the ailment prevents all types of movement or is constant, that is, it does not change depending on posture or movement.

·       Obviously, if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, extreme tiredness or weight loss.

·       If you suffer from other diseases or are taking medications that contraindicate some treatments for back pain.

·       Meanwhile, if the following situations occur together, the visit to the doctor could be temporarily postponed:

·       The pain has already been previously assessed by a doctor, and the characteristics and location of the new episode are the same.

·       Pain is bearable, relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers, better in less than 2 days, and gone in less than 7.

·       The pain is not accompanied by loss of strength.

·       The general state of health is good, there is no fever or weight loss, he does not suffer from any type of illness and he is not following treatments that could influence the pain.

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