Why Your Severe Back Pain Means It's Time To See a Doctor

Almost everyone experiences some sort of back pain at one point or another. The severity of this back pain can vary significantly, as can how long it lasts. It's normal to experience mild to moderate back pain now and then; such pain is likely caused by temporary issues like muscle strain and posture. On the other hand, if back pain is severe or chronic, it's time to see a doctor about the cause and treatment. It's not normal to have severe back pain, and leaving it untreated can have consequences for your health down the road.

Severe Back Pain Isn't Normal

Severe back pain is usually caused by some sort of underlying condition, and it's often accompanied by other symptoms like numbness or muscle weakness in the limbs. The laundry list of conditions that have the potential to cause severe back pain is significant and lengthy.

Most of the time, severe back pain isn't life-threatening, nor does it threaten your overall health to a great degree. Some of the most common causes of back pain include herniated discs, bulging discs, and bone spurs. Less commonly, issues like scoliosis and kyphosis can cause back pain. Even more rarely, conditions like spinal tumors may exist.

Untreated Pain Has Consequences

Although back pain is unlikely to be an imminent threat to life and limb, that doesn't mean that it has no consequences for your health and quality of life. Living with untreated back pain can seriously impact your quality of life, causing you to be less productive at work and less able to engage with the people around you.

Chronic, severe pain can also have an effect on your overall health. For example, the stress of chronic pain can eventually make your body less able to fight off infections, making you more prone to colds and flus. And the toll on your mental health is also significant: people suffering from pain are more likely to develop issues like insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

The good news is that back pain is highly treatable. To schedule a consultation about treatment for your back pain, please click below and enter your information or call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at (212) 430-0312.