Tired of Back Pain? 5 Signs It’s Time to See a Neurosurgeon

There’s no sugarcoating it: Back pain is common. In fact, 23% of people currently live with chronic lower back pain. That statistic doesn’t even account for upper back pain or acute lower back pain.

While back pain is common, living with constant or worsening pain doesn’t have to be. Many aches improve with rest, physical therapy, or time, but some symptoms may signal a deeper issue involving your spine or nerves. 

So how do you know when it’s time to see a neurosurgeon? We’ve got the answer here.

Read on as our team of experts here at Link Integrated Healthcare share five signs that it’s time to see a neurosurgeon here at Link Integrated Healthcare.

1. Your pain isn’t improving with conservative care 

If your pain has lasted several weeks or months despite treatments like rest, medications, physical therapy, or injections, it may be time for a closer look. Persistent pain can indicate nerve compression, disc problems, or spinal instability that requires an advanced evaluation, and perhaps, surgery.

2. Your pain isn’t isolated to your back

While the term “back pain” makes it sound like the pain is confined to your back, the truth is that some types of back pain can travel down your arms and legs.

Back pain that radiates into your arm, leg, or buttock, often described as burning, shooting, or electric, can be a sign of nerve irritation or compression, such as sciatica or a herniated disc. 

Back pain can also contribute to headaches. This is especially true if you have upper back and neck issues, both of which can contribute to cervicogenic headaches.

One of our neurosurgeons here at Link Integrated Healthcare can determine whether a spinal nerve is involved and what treatment options may help. Getting the right treatment for your spinal issue can help remedy your arm, leg, and head symptoms.

3. You experience weakness, tingling, or numbness in your extremities

Tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness in your arms or legs isn’t something to ignore. These symptoms may indicate that nerves are being compressed or damaged. Unfortunately, these symptoms can also increase your risk of tripping and falling.

The good news: Proper treatment can help prevent permanent nerve injury.

4. Your pain affects your quality of life (and your sleep!)

If back pain is limiting your ability to work, exercise, or enjoy everyday activities, or if it’s waking you up at night, it’s more than just an inconvenience. 

Chronic pain can sabotage your physical and mental health.

Ask yourself if your back pain has:

• Prevented you from participating in your favorite activities, like playing golf or playing with your kids
• Impacted your quality of sleep
• Affected your exercise routine
• Affected your ability to work or do chores around the house
• Contributed to feelings of sadness or isolation

If so, our team can perform a neurosurgical evaluation to help identify the root cause of your pain and the solutions to restore your quality of life.

5. You’ve had a spinal injury

Back pain (or any pain for that matter) that follows a fall, accident, or sports injury should be evaluated by a specialist. Structural damage to your spine may not heal on its own and could worsen without proper care.

Worth noting: If your pain was improving but is now worsening, let us know.

How Link Integrated Healthcare can help 

At Link Integrated Healthcare, our multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons and primary care providers excels at diagnosing and treating conditions that affect your spine and nervous system. 

We focus on identifying the root cause of your pain and exploring the most appropriate pain management treatment options, many of which don’t require surgery. When surgery is recommended, we implement minimally invasive techniques when possible.

Bottom line: If your back pain is persistent, spreading, or interfering with your life, it’s worth getting answers. 

Put your spine first this year

Tired of back pain? Schedule a consultation in the location closest to you: Camarillo, Northridge, Oxnard, Simi Valley, or Santa Barbara, California.