Back and spine pain is one of the common medical conditions that you may go through. But if you have lower back pain symptoms, things might get confusing for you. The confusion occurs with the choice of doctor. So, to help you with little assistance, herein we have provided the complete detail regarding the lower back spine and the doctor you should go for. However, if you or anyone you know is going through adverse issues of lower back pain, you can consider talking to the experts of Kauvery Hospital, Chennai.
Lower Back Pain and related facts
- Lower back pain is common and it may also develop because of the overuse of the spine or any kind of injury. The pain can also occur because of underlying medical conditions.
- Worldwide, 80% of people suffer because of lower back pain. The pain may appear suddenly and gradually and can range from dull aches to intense or sharp pain.
- Stress, sprain, and strain are the common causes of lower back pain. A sprain occurs because of the overstretch or tear or ligament while strain occurs because of tendon or muscle causes.
- Sprain and strain can result in overuse, sports injury, awkwardly twisting, or lifting something too heavy.
- Cauda equina syndrome is one of the rare medical conditions that damage the cauda equina, which is the bundle of nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord. This medical condition can also lead to a herniated disc. Other causes of cauda equina include spinal stenosis, fractures, tumors, infections, etc that affects the spine. It can also result in complications due to spinal injury or spinal surgery.
- Lower back pain can also be the reason for spinal infection, which may develop in other body parts and may later travel to the spinal cord. There can also be chances of injuries, or spinal surgery complications due to medical issues like HIV, Cancer, and Diabetes.
- Scoliosis is the sideways curvature of the spine, which can disturb and can lead to uneven shoulders and hips. This medical condition tends to occur in between 11 to 12 years old children. This is because they are in a continuous period of growth and they have weak spinal areas. However, scoliosis can also develop at any age. Also, children with scoliosis can develop lower back pain like in the case of adults.
Which doctor to see for lower back pain symptoms?
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Family and General Practitioners
If you have consistent neck or back pain, you can consult your family and regular doctor. You can go to any general practitioner, who may help you with the pain. The general practitioner may help you with:
- Diagnostic tests
- May prescribe you painkillers
- May advise you with regular exercises
- Can take the role of physical therapist
- May help you refer to a specialist
You may have to consider the fact that the diagnosis of a general practitioner may slow down your spine back treatment. So, it is better to look for someone who is specialized in the treatment of the lower back area. If you are still confused about the choice of doctor, you can go through the possible research and may ask the questions before seeking any kind of appointment.
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Pediatricians
Pediatricians can help you diagnose and treat issues in children. They are doctors who cover a wide range of medical issues including back pain and spinal injuries. If you have a child who is going through medical issues, you can consider talking to a pediatrician. If your child needs a specialist, they are the general practitioners who may help you with the same.
- Emergency Room Healthcare Providers
If you have serious neck or back pain or any kind of trauma, you can get yourself admitted to the emergency room. Emergency room healthcare providers may help you with the immediate requirements of doctors. If you are attacked by the sudden pain, you can try talking to your healthcare provider not to compel you to move. You can consider talking to your emergency room healthcare provider if you have a loss of bowel movement, or bladder control or have any issue related to your legs.
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Orthopedists
Orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons may help you with the musculoskeletal system. This system may include the body parts like:
- Bones
- Joints
- Muscles
- Cartilage
- Connective tissues
Orthopedics may help you with your bone-related issues by overlapping or working in collaboration with rheumatologists. Both the doctors may help you with the treatment of arthritis. Sometimes, orthopedics and neurosurgery follow the same procedure. These may include the treatments for spinal fusions and discectomies.
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Rheumatologists
A rheumatologist helps you with the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, and musculoskeletal conditions. These conditions are the many forms of arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren’s syndrome. Your general practitioner may send you to a rheumatologist if you have symptoms like:
- Sacroiliitis: Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint can lead to pain in your spine.
- Axial spondylosis: It is one of the painful forms of spinal arthritis
- Axial spondylosis: It is also the form of spinal arthritis that leads to the fusion of bones.
Rheumatologists may also help you with the treatment of spinal stenosis (advanced osteoarthritis) and may work in collaboration with orthopedists.
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Neurologists
A neurologist specializes in lower back pain symptoms. They may help you with the treatment of the spinal cord, brain, and nerves. These treatments may include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
You can look for a neurologist who may help you with back and neck pain. They are the experts in understanding the origin of pain. A neurologist may also help you with spine surgery. He is a doctor who specializes in medical science with nerves.
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Neurosurgeons
A neurosurgeon specializes in surgery on the nervous system. This treatment may include the body parts like the brain, spine, and spinal cord. A neurosurgeon may not provide you with the complete solution for your back pain, but you may usually look to have the suggestion of a neurosurgeon if you have spinal pain.
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Osteopaths
An osteopath helps you with the physical exam of muscles, tissues, and bones. They may work in collaboration with MDs to provide a complete focus on your musculoskeletal system. Such doctors help you with the physical exam and are the primary care given in case of any kind of emergency. If you are seeking the help of your osteopaths, they may help you with the treatment of:
- Correct posture
- Stretching
- Massage
- Spinal manipulation (popping your back)
Such doctors may help you with your mobility, relieving the pain and reducing muscle tension.
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Chiropractors
A chiropractor is a medical specialist who may help you with the alternatives and options for lower back pain. They may help you restore the functions of your spine. They may also help you with the adjustment of your spinal manipulations. The purpose of a chiropractor is to loosen and increase flexibility. They may help you with stiffness and loss in the range of motion. They may give you the better options in case you have:
- Loose joints
- Problems related to connective tissues
- Have any kind of osteoporosis (thinning bones)
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Psychiatrist
If you have lower back pain symptoms because of certain mental health issues, you can consider talking to psychiatric and related experts. They may help you focus on your mental health condition. You can consider taking the help of your psychiatrist or physical therapist in combination. Both doctors may work in collaboration to provide you with complete rehabilitation and assistance with any kind of complications or injuries.
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