Signs that your back may need Help!

Here at Bryant Medical Group, our team knows all too well the effects that back issues can have on your life. Your back is ground zero for your entire musculoskeletal structure, which means even the smallest problem can have a disproportionately large impact on your life. To prevent these problems from becoming much larger, it’s important to know the early signs so that you can take action. 

1. Pain down your legs
If you experience pain, tingling, or numbness that radiates down one side of your buttocks and legs, this typically signals a problem with your sciatic nerve in your lower back. Oftentimes the nerve is compressed or irritated by a herniated disc or other spinal condition in your lower back. Oftentimes the nerve is compressed or irritated by a herniated disc or other spinal condition in your lower back.

2. An achy back
We all have aches and pains from time to time, but consistent problems with an achy back are likely warning you of a problem that needs to be remedied. Perhaps you wake up feeling OK, but within hours your back develops a dull ache. This symptom develops regardless of your activity level, which means that your muscles are probably strained because of misalignments along your spine. 

3. Sharp back pain with certain movements
Another symptom to look out for is sharp or jabbing pain with certain movements. This type of pain is easy to identify and could mean a muscle spasm or a disc problem. 

4. Numbness/Tingling down your arms, into hands
By the same token, if you have a pinched nerve in your neck, it can lead to symptoms that radiate down your shoulders, arms, and even into your hands. We include this symptom here because, technically, your neck is part of your spine.

5. Muscle tightness
If you try to lift something, but the muscles in your back immediately tense up, it could be a sign that your back is out of alignment. This same thing can happen when you get in and out of your car or with other movements that rely heavily on your back.  

Left unchecked, this tightness can quickly turn to pain as tense muscles are more prone to strain, which is something you want to avoid. 

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, seeking our help sooner rather than later is important. Through our integrative services, including chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation, our goal is to resolve your back issues without resorting to invasive surgeries or dangerous medications.

To do this, however, we need to intervene early enough so that we can prevent larger, and even irreversible, problems from developing along your spine. To get started, contact our office in Lafayette or New Iberia, Louisiana, to set up a consultation.