4 Good Reasons to See a Specialist for Your Herniated Disc

4 Good Reasons to See a Specialist for Your Herniated Disc

4 Good Reasons to See a Specialist for Your Herniated Disc

Both cervical and lumbar back pain can be caused by a herniated disc. While not the most common cause of back pain, herniated discs do account for a significant number of back pain cases. The question on the minds of many patients is whether to see a specialist.

We get it. Seeing a specialist means spending more money. It could mean having to argue with your GP or insurance company to get a referral. But there are times when seeing a specialist is called for.

Are you dealing with persistent pain due to a herniated disc? If so, here are four good reasons to consider seeing a specialist:

1. Your Symptoms Are Getting Worse

Theoretically, back pain caused by a herniated disc should gradually subside over time. We say ‘theoretically’ because it doesn’t always happen. Our pain management doctors have seen plenty of cases in which a person’s pain only gets worse.

Perhaps you are experiencing severe low back pain that’s not getting any better. The pain has affected your ability to move and walk. Maybe you’ve noticed that your symptoms are getting worse. You have noticed pain radiating into other parts of your body, pain that is getting severe enough to limit your daily activities.

Worsening pain is a very good reason to see a specialist. It is not likely to subside on its own. There is something else going on, something that a specialist can help you with.

2. You Begin Noticing Neurological Symptoms

Most patients with herniated discs do not experience neurological symptoms. But some do. Neurological symptoms can include:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Loss of feeling in the lower extremities
  • Loss of balance and fine motor skills

Neurological symptoms could indicate something more serious. For example, you could be looking at spinal cord compression in addition to a herniated disc. Spinal cord compression requires treatments that your GP cannot offer.

3. Your Pain Is Persistent

Perhaps you’re not exhibiting neurological symptoms, and your pain isn’t getting any worse. But if the pain persists after several weeks of conservative treatment, you may have to consider more aggressive treatments.

Conservative treatments tend to focus on things like rest, physical therapy, and heat/cold applications. They are often combined with home remedies and OTC medications. But if a conservative approach does not seem to be working, it may be time to see a pain management doctor capable of offering alternative treatments.

4. Your Quality of Life Is Suffering

The fourth reason to see a specialist for a herniated disc is a decline in your quality of life. Here at Lone Star Pain Medicine, we put a lot of stock in quality of life. We know that chronic pain patients are especially susceptible to a lower quality of life because pain inhibits their abilities. That is not good.

A reduction in quality of life manifests itself in a variety of ways including social isolation, a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, strained personal relationships, and more. If more aggressive treatments can restore both function and quality of life, they are worth considering. But more aggressive treatments are typically the domain of specialists. They are not treatments most patients will get from their GP.

If you are dealing with a herniated disc that is causing you persistent pain, you may be a good candidate for treatment by a back pain specialist. Go ahead and talk things over with your GP. If you are ready to see a specialist and you live in the Weatherford, TX area, we hope you’ll consider visiting Lone Star Pain Medicine.

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