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Spine Problems
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You might be surprised to learn that 80 percent of the time, back and neck pain is simply a result of strain or soft tissue injury. In many of these simple cases of back or neck strain, your condition will improve with specialized exercises, rest and anti-inflammatory medicine. Other times, you may need to see a doctor, perhaps even as soon as possible.
Briefly, here are some rules of thumb to keep in mind about your back or neck problems:
- Trauma - If you fall down, are in a car accident or do anything abrupt that may have fractured your back, go to a spine specialty clinic within 24 hours.
- Radicular pain - Anytime you have back or neck pain that radiates down into your leg or arm, you probably need to be evaluated by a spine specialist within two to three days, especially if it is getting worse.
- Persistent pain - If pain limited to the low back or neck area does not begin to subside after three days with anti-inflammatories and rest, then you probably need to be evaluated by a spine specialist. For example, if you first noticed back or neck pain on Monday, and it is now Thursday, and the pain is not getting better, it is time to see a spine specialist to find out what is causing your problem.
- Anytime you experience loss of control of your bowel or bladder, that is an EMERGENCY signal that you need to see a spine specialist THE SAME DAY. If you wait too long, you could suffer permanent paralysis of the nerves that control these functions.
- Foot drop - If you notice that your toe is dragging as you walk, this is a DANGER SIGNAL for serious problems. Again, if you delay, you could experience permanent damage. This problem should be seen within 24 hours by a spine specialist.
- Weakness, numbness or pain that extends below a knee or elbow is a serious symptom. Go to a spine center within two days.
Home Remedy Book
As a community service, Northwest Florida Spine mails out a free 36-page Home Remedy Book with customized stretches that can relieve some back and neck pain symptoms. Enter your name and address and we will mail you a copy.
Back to Life Journal
Download our free 16-page Back to Life Journal that shows how to get back to golf, tennis, hiking and more with home remedies. Insert your email to subscribe and download.
Symptoms Chart
Some symptoms can become permanent if you don’t see the physician with in 24 hours. Find out when you can use “watchful waiting” and when you have an emergency symptom.
Exercise Library
What do exercises have to do with relieving pain? Research in sports medicine and spine care exercises have shown to help relieve joint, ligament, muscle problems in the legs, arms, neck and back and increase range of motion.
Need an Appointment?
Dr. Michael Rohan, Jr. is fellowship-trained in spine surgery, the highest level of medical education in the U.S. Over the past 10 years, Northwest Florida Spine has been referred back and neck pain patients from across the Gulf Coast region for the most advanced minimally invasive spine surgery and artificial disc replacement surgery. Responding to its regional reputation in spine care, in early 2018, the spine center transitioned its name from Panama City Spine to Northwest Florida Spine which reflects the regional draw of patients.
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