Of the many reasons people visit the doctor, the beginning of back pain ranks among the most common. Back pain is also a major cause of disabilities. The most frustrating part of back pain is that the more progressive injuries to your back have an origin you may have been able to successfully treat in the earliest stages if you hadn’t ignored the warning signs.

Daily life comes with its share of regular aches and pains. From something as simple as getting out of bed to heavy lifting, you can trigger a painful reaction from any small movement. Some pain subsides on its own, but you should have most pain addressed immediately. The beginning of back pain is easier to resolve than the chronic or debilitating pain it becomes.

Pain Is a Red Flag

The human body is built to withstand an extraordinary amount of punishment. At the low end of the spectrum, sitting on hard surfaces or standing most of the day causes micro-traumas in the body. Professional athletes and people engaged in highly demanding physical activities experience extreme levels of punishment on the other end of the spectrum.

The beginning of back pain may stem from a pulled muscle. While you may consider using a combination of hot and cold packs to relieve pain in your muscle, it may trigger another response — such as a compensating tweak in another part of your body. A chain reaction can develop, leading to a condition that requires medical attention.

Symptoms Accompanying the Beginning of Back Pain

Come in to the Southeastern Spine Institute if you notice your initial twinges of back pain comes with other symptoms, such as:

• Back pain combined with leg pain. Radiating pain that starts anywhere in your back and travels down to your buttocks, leg and as low as your foot, may be a sign of nerve irritation.
• Back pain that occurs in conjunction with limping. This could be a sign of a serious condition resulting from nerve damage.
• Back pain that happens at the same time as bowel or bladder issues. If you’re experiencing pain or difficulty urinating or defecating, contact your doctor immediately. This may signal you have a rare condition called cauda equina syndrome, which puts an intense level of pressure on the nerves at the bottom of your spinal cord that connect to your pelvic organs.
• Back pain that causes a reaction throughout your entire body. The beginning of back pain accompanied with sensations like chills, fevers and night sweats are serious indicators that your body is reacting to something harmful. In some instances, these symptoms indicated the presence of cancer.
• Some back pain isn’t back pain specifically. The back pain you’re experiencing could be a symptom of problems with your kidneys. If you have a kidney infection, it swells in response and creates pain in your lower back.

Let the Professionals Diagnose Your Discomfort

Many types of back pain can be remedied by taking healing steps on your own. But only your trusted spinal physician can recognize what will pass with time and what needs to be addressed immediately. Since back pain can develop into debilitating conditions, don’t take a chance.

Even if you believe the beginning of back pain you’re having is a minor condition, schedule an appointment with the Southeastern Spine Institute to rule out any potentially serious complications. When it comes to your back, it’s always wiser to be safe than sorry.