If you’re like many other people who experience neck and back pain every now and then, there’s really nothing to worry about. In most cases, the pain goes away after a few days without any medication or treatment. However, if it persists and occurs quite often, then it might be time to see a physiotherapist. When you’re not sure about the meaning or severity of the symptoms, it’s still best to seek help from a professional and get yourself checked out. Here are some signs that indicate you might need physiotherapy already.
1. Pain That Lasts for More than a Week
If you’re experiencing back pain or soreness that lasts for more than a week, then that’s more than enough to tell you that you need help from a specialist. This is especially true if the pain is restricting your movement or aggravated by coughing or sneezing. By getting yourself checked out, your physiotherapist can determine where the pain is coming from and what can be done about it. They can also isolate any injuries and prescribe a rehabilitation programme or refer you to the appropriate specialist if necessary. This is because, in some cases, the pain may have been caused by something more sinister and complex than just posture issues.
2. Numbness, Tingling, or Weakness
If the pain you feel on your back is no longer just pain and is accompanied by other sensations like numbness, it’s time to go to the doctor right away. It’s also possible to feel some tingling in the legs, back, or other parts of the body. Again, this is a sign that you need to get checked out by a physiotherapist.
These sensations indicate that your nervous system is already being affected, such as a pinched nerve that’s blocking signals from reaching your limbs. Such neurological interference should be resolved as soon as possible to prevent long term over-sensitisation, muscle weakness, and movement problems.
3. Reduced Mobility
If you’ve started to notice that you no longer feel as flexible as you were before and that your movement is severely limited, then there might already be a problem. For example, reaching your toes or your back requires a lot more effort than it used to. Going to a physiotherapist will help uncover whatever it is that’s causing your reduced mobility. They can assess the problem and provide a series of exercises to strengthen the supporting tissues and relax the muscles. This will allow you to slowly increase your flexibility once more.
4. Little Niggles that Keep Coming Back
If you have consistent niggles in your back that keep returning, this is usually caused by a specific area of tightness or weakness that can be resolved with the right training. The problem with these little niggles is that it’s almost impossible to diagnose them without professional assistance, making it even more vital for you to consult a specialist.
Even if the niggles you’re experiencing aren’t severe, it’s worth having a physiotherapist take a look and provide a solution while it’s still a minor problem. Remember, the longer this condition persists, the more painful it will get. Once you’ve reached that point, it’ll be even more difficult to rehabilitate.
Conclusion
Experiencing back pain can be a minor inconvenience at first, but it can easily lead to a debilitating problem. Whether you’re suffering from a new injury or you’re already experiencing the symptoms of chronic pain, it’s essential to reach out to a physiotherapist as soon as you can.
Invigor Health is here to help you fix your pain and future-proof your body. We believe that physiotherapy shouldn’t be a one-time thing for temporary relief. It should fix the source of your pain for good and significantly improve your quality of life. Don’t let yourself suffer from pain over and over again. Take injury prevention physiotherapy only from Invigor Health. Book a session today!