Admit it, we’re all guilty of putting off a doctor’s visit or two. We figure “the pain will go away on its own.” But, what happens when that isn’t the case?

After a few weeks of pain, you regret not seeking professional care to begin with.

Best case scenario? A professional can take over from there and help relieve your pain.

Worst case? You seriously delayed your recovery by not asking for help sooner.

Read on to learn about 3 signs that you might need back pain care and how a chiropractor can put you on the path to a pain-free life!

Sign #1: Over-the-Counter Medication Doesn’t Cut It

For minor aches and pains, over-the-counter pain relievers should alleviate your pain. However, if you are at the point at which these medicines don’t help you anymore, chiropractic care could be for you.

This is also the case if you are relying solely on these pills for an extended period of time, getting to the point where you are maxing out on the recommended intake each day.

Over-the-counter pain medication is meant to be a short-term, quick fix. It is not meant to be a permanent solution to your pain.

After all, these pills may alleviate your pain, but if you are seriously injured or suffering from a back condition, these pills won’t work to tackle the issue at hand.

If your back pain is so great that these pills aren’t helping, or aren’t helping enough, that is a tell-tale sign that family chiropractic care could be your best plan of action.

Sign #2: You Can’t Perform Everyday Tasks

Part of getting older means that you don’t move like you used to. Maybe you can’t stay out dancing all night or exercise as vigorously as you did when you were younger.

However, if your back pain limits your ability to perform everyday tasks or take care of yourself, it’s recommended to seek back pain care.

Some examples of tasks that back pain may prevent you from doing are: bending over to pick things up, going on walks, sitting for long periods of time, sleeping through the night, and more.

Don’t waste another day, succumbing to your back pain.

At a certain point, your quality of life decreases drastically when you are living in pain and limited in your movement.

If you’re lucky enough to have people taking care of you, you may be able to get away with procrastinating on back pain care for a little longer. Yet, you will eventually regret not starting recovery sooner.

If you’re living alone or don’t have much help to do your daily tasks, living with back pain becomes increasingly dangerous.

After all, you don’t want to end up in a situation where you are injured and alone.

Sign #3: The Pain Lasts Longer than 6 Weeks

When you wake up with an ache in your back or a crick in your neck, you probably chalk it up to sleeping in an odd position. But, fast forward weeks later, if you still feel that way, you know there’s a bigger issue at hand.

There is a difference between acute back pain and chronic back pain.

Acute back pain is generally considered pain that lasts less than 6 weeks. While this pain is still serious and may require professional attention, it is likely the cause of a physical injury and may resolve on its own with rest.

Acute back pain may be treated with pain medication, bed rest, stretches and physical therapy exercises, and limited movement.

On the other hand, chronic back pain is pain lasting longer than 6 weeks. Chronic back pain may come on gradually and may not necessarily stem from one injury or accident.

Oftentimes, the cause behind chronic back pain is difficult to pinpoint and the pain is more difficult to treat because it is likely a combination of factors (lifestyle and genetic) than contribute to the pain.

If your back pain is chronic, it will not likely subside on its own. Therefore, seeking the best chiropractor for your care is necessary.

When to Seek Back Pain Care Urgently

Back pain, especially that of the achey variety, may seem easy to procrastinate, but there are a few symptoms that you should not ignore.

If you have any of the following symptoms, make sure to reach out to a professional as soon as possible.

• Fever
• Weight loss
• Trouble using the bathroom or bladder control
• Numbness in your lower body

These symptoms are serious and should not be ignored.

Back to Health Chiropractic Solutions

Depending on how long you’ve been suffering from back pain, it may seem hopeless that you’ll ever feel better. However, there are solutions to back pain that can alleviate or help you manage your pain.

A chiropractor can manipulate your muscles, ligaments, and joints to offer immediate relief to some kinds of stiffness and pain.

They may be able to teach you stretches or exercises that will offer more long-term relief.

Sometimes, acupuncture may be a solution that can bring you pain relief as well.

Additionally, a chiropractor can evaluate your lifestyle and offer you advice as to changes you can make to prevent and assuage future pain, including sleeping positions, daily exercise, and posture correction.

Don’t Wait to Take Your Life Back

No one wants to live a life full of pain or restrictions. The sooner you seek professional back pain care, the sooner you can feel like yourself and get back to your life.

For more information about chiropractic care, check out our blog! Here, you’ll find tips for vetting chiropractors, managing pain, and more.