Many of us may have been dealing with episodes of back pain, but swept them under the rug. There is often doubt as to when to keep living with the aches and pains versus when it is time to see a doctor. But, repeated back pain could be a sign of something worse, so back pain issues shouldn’t be taken lightly. In this article, we’re going to give you four signs it is time to see a chiropractor.
Discomfort Interferes with Sleep
One sign you need to see a chiropractor is when the aches and pains interfere with sleep. If you cannot find a comfortable position to sleep in or you’re prone to waking up from the pain, you need to see a chiropractor. You also need to see a medical professional if you’re afraid to get up in the morning because those first limping steps out of bed are agony.
You Need Over the Counter Meds to Get Through the Day
Needing pain medication for the first days after a sports injury or accident is reasonable. However, if you’re continually taking cover the counter medications intended for short-term relief, you need to visit a chiropractor. And sooner is better than later since you’ll probably continue to deteriorate until over the counter medications are no longer enough. If you’re taking over the counter pain relievers to get through the day and wake up at night in pain until the next dose takes effect, get to a doctor or chiropractor as soon as possible.
Note that chronic joint pain and muscle pain that you’re coping with via various rubs, ointments, heat pads and cold pads should be treated by a professional as well. Pain in a specific area or all over is a warning sign that something is wrong, and you shouldn’t let a permanent warning sign go unheeded.
You Were in an Accident
You should see a chiropractor as soon as possible after an accident, whether it was a car accident or personal injury. A chiropractor can diagnose issues like whiplash that the Emergency Room might miss. A chiropractor can also diagnose issues like torn ligaments, herniated disks, and strained muscles. Stiffness after an accident is another reason to see the doctor because the stiffness is due to the body trying to compensate for the injured tissue. You also need to see a specialist like a chiropractor if your range of motion is suddenly limited and you’re no longer as flexible in an area as you once were.
You Have Constant Headaches
Headaches are not a price we pay for daily life in the modern world. Headaches can be a sign of hormonal imbalances, poor posture, whiplash, muscle tension, or illness. Visit a chiropractor if your doctor hasn’t given you an explanation or solution for your headaches, such as ruling out that it is seizure-like migraines or caused by an autoimmune disorder. You can learn more about potential autoimmune conditions at echiropractor.org.
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms in this article, you should consider seeing a chiropractor. Always seek medical assistance after an injury even if there are no apparent issues, as stiffness, limited motion and pain can worsen over time if issues are unaddressed.