4 Steps to Avoid Mistakes in Diagnosing Lower Back Pain

Thanks to Google, WebMD, and other online resources, many patients out there believe they can self-diagnose. However, when you have lower back pain, the list of potential underlying problems is very long! In other words, you could easily make a mistake in diagnosing the issue yourself, prolonging your pain or even making it worse.

Here are four steps you need to take to avoid mistakes in diagnosing lower back pain.

Going to the Chiropractor

If you have an issue with your eyesight, you visit an optometrist. If you have stomach pain, you see your physician. When it comes to back pain, one of the first providers you see should be a chiropractor. They are experts on spinal alignment, the nervous system, and correcting these types of symptoms. By visiting them at the beginning, you can more quickly identify the problem and start feeling better.

Sharing Your Medical History

As a patient, it may be difficult to understand why your chiropractor needs to learn your full medical history, but this information is often essential to reaching a proper diagnosis. For instance, if you suffered an injury in a car accident several years ago, your chiropractor can use this information to possibly identify if you may have reinjured yourself.

In addition, your chiropractor needs to know about your current lifestyle and health. Your sleeping position, daily habits, activity level, and other details can lead to a more accurate diagnosis and more successful treatment.

Doing Several Physical Exams

Although you may wish the chiropractor could know immediately what’s wrong, it rarely works that way. Most of the time, they will need to conduct multiple physical exams and ask you to perform certain tasks to pinpoint the source of your back pain, such as reflex, motion, or leg raise tests. In the meantime, try to be patient and do the exams they ask you to do.

Considering Non-Invasive Treatments

Once your chiropractor has made a diagnosis, they can then offer several alternatives for treatment. Most pain management and orthopedic specialists may recommend surgery, medications, and other invasive solutions.

Your chiropractor, on the other hand, provides non-invasive treatments that can significantly improve your healing without using drugs or a scalpel. These therapies may include using a soft tissue cold laser, chiropractic adjustments, sole supports, massage, and exercise training—just to name a few!

In the end, online resources can be great in certain situations, but most of the time, you need an expert to properly diagnose and treat pain. If you suffer from lower back pain, follow these steps to more accurately find out what’s wrong and fix it!

About the Author

Dr. Chad Wills has been practicing chiropractic for more than 20 years in Naples, FL. Certified in Chiropractic Biophysics, he is part of a small group of providers in the area with these advanced qualifications. In his practice, he employs many therapies, including all the ones mentioned above as well as Power Plate exercises and more. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wills at Wills Chiropractic, contact us online or call 239-331-6060.