How To Diagnose Lower Back Pain
Diagnosis of Lumbar Back Pain
A complete diagnosis of lower back pain is an extremely important step in resolving pain and symptoms caused by conditions in the lumbar spine segment. It is great to get an idea of what may be causing your pain by reading about conditions that may be causing your symptoms, but self-diagnosis should never be your only course of action as this may be quite harmful. A complete diagnosis from a medical professional should be performed before you attempt more complex treatment for what may be ailing you.
After Back Pain, When should you see your Doctor?
First and foremost, if your injury is a result of a traumatic injury, you should seek medical attention immediately. You may have fractured a bony structure in your spinal column that could lead to serious injury if not treated immediately. If your back pain started as a result of overexertion or strenuous activity, you should be able to try resting and taking some anti-inflammatory over the counter medicine to find relief. Be aware that conditions such as high blood pressure, or medications you may already be taking, may illuminate this option for you. Applying ice to the injured area in the within the first 72 hours usually helps to relieve some of the inflammation and alleviate the pain. Always listen to your body, if you feel that your pain is unusual, or it is very intense, you should seek medical attention.
After 48 to 72 hours have passed and you are not feeling any better, it is time that you make an appointment with your doctor to have your back pain assessed. Your doctor will want to know what you were doing when the pain started, what steps you have taken to try and make it go away, and if there is a history of this injury in the past. This information will help form a preliminary diagnosis for your doctor. If need be, you may be required to have imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT-Scan, or an MRI for confirmation before treatment begins.
Online Diagnosis
As a leader in treating neck and back pain, Atlantic Spine Center offers a free online tool that can give you an idea of what condition may be affecting your back or neck. Take a minute to use our back and neck pain evaluation tool and learn about treatment options available to you. Start a pain diagnosis
