Back pain doesn't stay for long. In most of the cases, it comes, stays for some hours or days, and then goes away on its own. But, if it's still there even after 2-3 weeks, you may need a doctor.
In the good, old days, back pain would only haunt the old. But, these days, men and women as young as 20-22 frequently complain of back pain. The culprit could be the contemporary lifestyle, where we literally do nothing in the name of physical activity (except getting in and out of the metro, and cars), and eat more fast foods than home-made food. The way we sit on our office chairs may also contribute to the frequent back-pain.
Even small changes can make a big difference, and save us from the severe back-pain that may confine us to bed for days. The best preventive measures that we can take is starting exercise (it could be a brisk walk for 30-40 minutes, or gymming, or jogging, or any activity you are comfortable with), cutting down on fast food intake, and learn the appropriate ways to sit on office chairs.
If you have been experiencing back-pain from the last 2-3 weeks, and have not felt any relief despite taking rest, back massage with back-pain relievers (creams), it's probably the time to visit a doctor. Delay the visit, and the situation may get bad to worse.
Your doctor may ask you for taking tests to determine what exactly is causing the back-pain. If there is an underlying condition, that condition needs to be treated first.
It's important that you take medications as told by the doctor, and do not miss out on the follow-up sessions with your doctor or care team. Pills can't better your pain in a day or two; they take time; and you have to take them as told. Your doctor may also suggest you taking some vegetables and fruits, and avoiding some vegetables, fruits, and food completely. There is no need to say that you should follow his instructions word-by-word. One more thing – have faith in your doctor. Many patients change their doctors if they do not see the results in a matter of 2-3 days. Please remember there are no magical pills in the market. Effective treatment always takes time. However, if you have been taking medications for a pretty long time and you feel the doctor is not giving your case the due attention, there is no harm in seeking second opinion.
Back pain treatment can be more effective when started early. The proverb thus rightly says that “a stitch in time saves nine.” Doctors are a lot more competitive these days, and have the machines to treat the affected part and condition in a matter of days. For example, back/spine surgeries are now performed laparoscopically, which means patient is subjected to only small incisions (surgical cuts on the patient's body), and therefore there is no significant loss of blood; patient also experiences faster recovery when the surgery is performed laparoscopically.
|