If you are thinking of obtaining expert help for lower back pain management, you are making the first step toward assisting your body in finding relief. Nevertheless, it is not always simple to describe your discomfort in detail to your physician. This issue could be problematic, as your physician could have difficulty providing an appropriate diagnosis if you cannot accurately describe your condition.
Here are several suggestions to assist you in describing your lower back pain Las Vegas symptoms to your physician. Remember these guidelines the next time you go to a physician’s office.
1. Do Not Be Embarrassed
Occasionally, people withhold information from their physician due to embarrassment over certain symptoms or complications of their condition. However, these warning signs or symptoms may be significant conditions that require your physician’s attention. For instance, if your lower back discomfort causes you to lose bowel or bladder control or you begin experiencing sexual dysfunction, your physician must be aware of these difficulties.
2. Where and when
Be specific about your lower back pain. Rather than telling your physician that your back aches, specify that your lumbar spine aches when you jog or that your cervical spine aches once you tilt your head to the left. Inform your physician of the precise area of your discomfort and the specific activities that worsen or help alleviate your discomfort. This information helps your specialist accurately diagnose the root cause of your pain and specific triggers.
In some cases, incorporating specialized braces and supports, such as those provided by Ortho Bracing, can help provide targeted support and alleviate discomfort. Consulting with your physician and considering options can be beneficial in managing and treating your specific pain condition.
3. Keep a Symptom Diary
The patient’s utilization of a symptom journal benefits both the patient and the physician. As its name suggests, a symptom notebook is a tool for patients to record their symptoms as they occur. By noting them down, you will have a clear and coherent record of how your lower back felt on specific days. This information also offers a better picture of your genuine pain levels, as research demonstrates that humans do not always accurately recall their former pain levels.
4. Overshare rather than Undershare
When discussing your back troubles, it is usually preferable to overshare rather than under share. Allow your physician to determine what pieces of information are helpful and relevant. Under-disclosure might result in an inaccurate diagnosis or guessing, so include all information you believe may be pertinent regarding your lower back discomfort.
5. Be Truthful
Nearly everybody has lied to their physicians in the past, whether it was about their tobacco usage, alcohol consumption, or diets. Your physician requests this information to gain a complete picture of everything happening in your life, not to pass judgment on your life decisions. Lying about specific matters or delivering half-truths will only harm you in the long term, so be forthright and truthful.
Lower back discomfort is extremely prevalent, and its cause is not always evident. Nevertheless, lower back discomfort may indicate an underlying ailment, like an infection, injury, or spinal condition. If you want to determine the root cause of your lower back pain, contact McNulty Spine. Dr. Patrick S. McNulty will suggest a tailored care plan, be it conservative therapies like spinal injections and nerve blocks or surgery. Call the Las Vegas or Henderson, NV, office or use the online scheduling tool to arrange an appointment.
