Most people, especially those who do not want to spend a penny on medical consultations would tend to ignore their pain in the hope that it would go away after some time. They do not know what risks they may be taking by choosing to ignore it. Back pain takes a while to be treated. For a mild discomfort, it could take a few weeks while it could take months for a severe discomfort. It may be a symptom of a more serious medical problem which we may never find out until the condition has already worsened, a reason enough to get checked by a qualified back pain doctor Houston, TX.

This can be one of the most frustrating conditions for patients as well as for their doctors. First, many patients don't recognize that the discomfort is not, in and of itself, a condition. Instead, it is a symptom which points to another condition and identifying that condition based on back pain alone can be difficult. As a result of the multitude of causes which can lead to discomfort on the spine, there are many different treatments available.

Asking important questions and providing information about your preferences are as essential as describing your symptoms on the first visit. Being prepared for your first appointment will give you a better chance of receiving effective treatment. Some people are comfortable not knowing details; others feel anxious without them. Let your doctor know what your information preferences are.

Ask your doctor to list all possible treatment options. If medication and surgery are the main responses, proceed with caution. Medication should only be used when your discomfort significantly disrupts your ability to function, and it should never be the only course of treatment pursued. Surgery is always a last resort, rarely necessary for such discomfort and should only be considered in the short term if you have red flag symptoms.

There are innumerable medications available, and many can be effective when dealing with certain types of temporary discomfort. Over the counter medications, like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These medications can be good for short-term discomfort, but often cannot be used for chronic pain. Opioid painkillers like morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine can be used with a prescription but can pose difficulties with long-term use if the cause of the discomfort isn't identified.

Ensuring you better understand what aggravates and what alleviates your discomfort is very important - your provider can help determine this using the above 5 questions. See the video and CORE Tool referenced and links at the end of this article. Keep in mind - not everyone has the same type - so what works for your friend, co-worker or neighbor may not be what will work for you. We call these different types - 'patterns'.

When your discomfort is gone, keeping active in general will help manage recurrence. Strengthening your core muscles should be an important part of your routine. Keeping up with the exercises that help you when you have Low Back Pain will also help.

The pain management doctor works hand-in-hand with your personal physician reviewing your medical records when necessary. They will give you a questionnaire to fill so that they get all the information they need to understand your case. The answers you give them will help them assess the effects of the discomfort you are experiencing and how it affects your life. The Houston, TX pain management doctor will do a thorough physical exam and might do more test to review all possible outcomes in order to know that is causing the discomfort and how well to treat the problem.