General symptoms of back pain are as follows:

• Dull, aching pain anywhere along the spine
• Sharp, restricted pain along the spine, particularly after lifting heavy objects
• Sharp, tingling, stinging, or numb sensation that moves down the legs and thighs
• Pain that becomes worse with movement
• Pain that becomes worse after prolonged sitting
• Unable to stand straight without having pain
• Numbness in the arms and legs

Scheduling an appointment with a back pain specialist is recommended if:

• You notice the pain worsening as time passes
• You start to notice that the pain is beginning to affect your day-to-day activities
• You notice groin or leg weakness
• You experience hand or arm weakness, numbness, or tingling
• You experience loss of bowel or bladder control

• Smoking: It’s no secret that smoking is bad for our health, but it may come as a surprise that smokers are three times more likely to suffer from back pain, in particular, chronic back pain.

• Being Overweight: Many complications can arise from excess weight; among them is back pain. Carrying around extra weight is not easy on the body, especially the back.

• Improper Lifting: Working out is a great way to stay in shape and live a healthy life, but when it is done improperly, i.e., lifting with your back instead of your legs, it can cause major back problems. It should be noted that lifting with your back muscles is never a good idea, whether you are working out or moving boxes.

• Sleeping Incorrectly: Proper sleep has a whole host of health benefits, but when we sleep in a bad position, it can cause back pain problems. Almost everyone has woken up with a sore neck or back, so be sure to be mindful of your body position as you are falling asleep!

• Bad Posture: We’ve all been told to sit up straight, but it can be hard to remind ourselves, especially if our minds are preoccupied. Practicing good posture and being mindful of our body’s position will aid us in keeping our backs healthy.

• Muscle Strain: Muscle strains typically do not occur due to a single traumatic occurrence. Instead, they usually occur when exposed to repetitive physical stress and overuse.

• Herniated Discs: Situated between each of the vertebrae of your spine are discs. When a disc herniates, the inside of the disc pushes through the outside of the disc wall.

How to tell the difference in pain:

When bending, back strains or sprains tend to hurt less with bending forward, and more with returning from a forward bend. On the other hand, disc herniations hurt both with bending forward AND with returning from bending up to an upright position.

At Specialty Medical Center, we offer chiropractic, physical therapy, lumbar support for back pain, PRP therapy, and many more. For more information, call our office today.

If you or someone you know is experiencing back pain, come to Specialty Medical Center today! Our kind and caring staff have the solution to your back problems! To speak with one of our specialists, contact our office today. Visit us online or simply call us to book an appointment. We serve patients from Sterling Heights MI, Dearborn MI, Detroit MI, Birmingham MI, Allen Park MI, Warren MI, and BEYOND!