X
This article was medically reviewed by Troy A. Miles, MD. Dr. Miles is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Adult Joint Reconstruction in California. He received his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2010, followed by a residency at the Oregon Health & Science University and fellowship at the University of California, Davis. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgery, and the North Pacific Orthopaedic Society.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 8,008 times.
Back pain is common and one of the biggest causes of disability worldwide. In fact, most people will have back pain at least once in their lifetime. Back pain can be acute or chronic and can come from a variety of sources. If you're having back pain, it's important to get a diagnosis and resolve the problem, starting with a self-assessment and then with your doctor.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Self-Assessing for Back Pain
Determine whether your pain is acute. Acute mechanical back pain is pain that has been present for less than four to six weeks and is caused by an issue in the spinal joints, discs, vertebrae, or soft tissues. The bad news is that the source of acute back pain is only diagnosable about 20% of the time. The good news? It usually resolves itself fast and with little treatment.[1]- Figure out how long you have had the pain. When did it start? Can you remember the exact moment when it began?
- Acute back pain often stems from strenuous activity or an injury. Can you link the pain to an event, like a game of football, shoveling snow, or picking up heavy boxes?
- Where is the pain? Most acute mechanical back pain is in the lower-back or lumbar region, but it may spread into your buttocks and thighs. It may also worsen if you bend over and it can be accompanied by spasms.
Assess if the pain is chronic, alternatively. Chronic back pain is persistent and lasts longer than acute back pain – more than several weeks. Diagnosis for chronic pain may be harder and require a trip to the doctor, who can assess your medical history and order follow-up tests. First, though, ask yourself the same questions as before.[2]- How long have you had the back pain? If it's more than three to five weeks, chances are that the pain is chronic rather than acute.
- Can you relate the pain to an injury or event, or did it set in gradually? Often, chronic back pain is the result of age-related changes in the spine.
- Chronic back pain can come in many forms. It might be a dull ache, sharp pain, tingling or burning sensation, or even feelings of weakness. The pain may also be mild or so intense that it is hard to move.
Note of the location and kind of pain you are feeling. Back pain can range from a dull ache to sudden, shooting pains. The pain might also be centered in your lower back, your upper back, or elsewhere. Take note of where the pain is and how it feels, both of which can help you and your doctor locate the source of the problem.[3]- Where does the pain originate? The lower back is often where we develop stress injuries from lifting, for example.
- Is your pain localized in a muscle? Is is accompanied by swelling, muscle spasms, or limited movement of the muscle? You might have a strain. Muscle strains account for 85% of all back injuries in the United States.
- Are you experiencing shooting pains, on the other hand? This sort of pain might be associated with a damaged or slipped disk or sciatica. Be aware of any tingling feeling, too. Tingling can indicate nerve compression, as in radiculopathy.
Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Visiting a Doctor
Make an appointment. Acute back pain normally clears up on its own. But consider contacting your doctor if your back pain is severe or doesn't get better with normal rest and at-home treatment, which indicates a chronic condition. Also, make an appointment if the pain spreads down one or both legs and past the knees, or causes weakness, loss of control, or tingling in the legs.[4]- Back pain usually resolves itself within two weeks or less with rest and home treatment. If not, or if your pain is severe, see a doctor.
- If the back pain is new, try to continue your daily activities as best you can. You can also use cold compresses – like a package of frozen vegetables – or over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen.
- Seek medical help immediately if your back pain ever causes bladder or bowel problems, is accompanied by a fever, or is the result of a fall or other traumatic event.
- Also, consider making an appointment if you start to have back pain after age 50 or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, or drug and alcohol abuse.
Expect to give a medical history. Your doctor will want to do her own diagnosis and will need to ask you a series of questions about the pain. After doing a self-assessment, you should be prepared to share your past medical history, the source and kind of pain, and other information. This can be critical to a correct diagnosis.[5]- Write down personal information in advance, like physical and emotional stresses in your life. Also note other medical conditions for which you're being treated, names and dosages of medicines you're taking, and any recent injuries to your back.
- Expect questions from your doctor like, “When did the pain begin? Where is it centered? Do you have any other symptoms? Is the pain constant? Does it affect your everyday functioning? How do you rate the pain on a scale of one to 10? Do you do heavy physical work? What other kinds of activities do you do?”
- The doctor may examine your back and your ability to sit, stand, bend over, walk, or lift your legs.
Ask your own questions. During your appointment, feel free to ask the doctor questions about your back pain. Doing so will help you to understand the underlying issues but also to ease any anxieties you may have. You need to be informed about your body – consider it a right.[6]- Ask questions like, “What is the most likely cause of my back pain? What started it? What can I do to prevent a recurrence?”
- Make sure that you understand the diagnosis. For example, if the doctor tells you that your back pain is likely from sciatica, ask her to explain what this condition means, how it occurs, and what the possible causes and solutions are.
- Inquire what sort of diagnostic tests you'll need, if any. If it helps, also write down your questions before you go to the appointment.
Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Testing for the Source
Go for X-rays or a body scan. One way that you and a doctor can accurately diagnose the source of your back pain is through body imaging: X-rays and MRI and CT scans. These procedures are usually done in a hospital on your doctor's orders and can reveal problems in your skeletal or muscular systems. They are usually only necessary for chronic or specific acute conditions.[7]- X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to produce an image of your skeleton. Your doctor may order one if she suspects your back pain is a result of a misalignment in the spine, arthritis, or broken bones. However, it won't show problems with the spinal cord, muscles, or disks.
- MRI and CT scans are an option if your doctor thinks the pain is related to soft tissue. These images can show herniated disks, muscle tears, and problems with blood vessels, nerves, and the spinal cord.
Have a blood test. In some cases, back pain can come from infections in the back vertebrae (osteomyelitis), the discs (discitis), or the joints that connect the pelvis to the lower spine (sacroiliitis). In other cases, pain may be related to a tumor. These are not common conditions but can be diagnosed with blood tests.[8]- Your may need blood tests if your back pain is accompanied by fever, chills, headache, or neck stiffness. These are all possible symptoms of a spinal infection.
- Expect the doctor to take a blood sample to check for a bacterial or fungal infection. She may also need to test your white blood cell count, c-reactive proteins, and other factors.
- If the doctor suspects a deep infection, she may need to do use a long needle with X-ray guidance to remove a blood specimen from your back.
Do a nerve study. Another way to diagnose back problems is through a nerve study, which is also called electromyography or EMG. EMG measures nerve impulses in your body as well as your muscle reactions, and can help to confirm spinal compression caused by herniated disks or a narrowing of the spinal column (stenosis).[9]- Your doctor may order an EMG if she thinks your back pain is the result of compression. You'll be attached to electrodes where you're experiencing symptoms. You may feel uncomfortable twinges or spasms when the electrodes send an electric current.
- Before an EMG, make sure your doctor knows if you have a pacemaker or other electrical medical device, if you are on blood-thinners, or if you have hemophilia.
- Take a bath beforehand to remove oils from your skin, and do not apply lotions or creams.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
SubmitAdvertisement
References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_your_back_and_neck/hic_Acute_Mechanical_Back_Pain
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_your_back_and_neck/hic_the_basics_of_back_pain
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9516-back-pain-basics/diagnosis-and-tests
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/basics/symptoms/con-20020797
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/basics/preparing-for-your-appointment/con-20020797
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/basics/preparing-for-your-appointment/con-20020797
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20020797
- ↑ http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20020797
About this article
Troy A. Miles, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
This article was medically reviewed by Troy A. Miles, MD. Dr. Miles is an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in Adult Joint Reconstruction in California. He received his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2010, followed by a residency at the Oregon Health & Science University and fellowship at the University of California, Davis. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgery, and the North Pacific Orthopaedic Society. This article has been viewed 8,008 times.
Co-authors: 8
Updated: May 25, 2021
Views: 8,008
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 8,008 times.
Reader Success Stories
"It was very helpful to have tips on what info to have ready to share with my doctor."
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
Advertisement
