Close to 30% of all disability cases in the UK are due to back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions, determining the cause and acquiring the proper treatment is imperative to discovering what treatment is necessary to bring not only relief from the back pain, but ultimately bring a complete recovery. Those suffering with back pain must determine whether or not seek out a diagnosis through their GP or to seek out a private back pain clinic in London.
Not many people suffering from back pain wish to live their lives having to take painkillers for an extended amount of time or in some cases potentially the rest of their life. Most painkillers come with the hazard of sometimes serious side-effects. Narcotic painkillers are risky because they often lead to addiction. Finding the answers and help they need can sometimes be difficult.
Whether or not an X-ray is needed to diagnose back pain is something that ultimately needs to be assessed by a patient’s doctor. A thorough initial consultation with a physician who specializes in back pain and musculoskeletal conditions should be the first step.
Back pain caused by muscle strain will probably not require any kind of X-ray, as the back pain from staining back muscles are typically easy to diagnosis by simply by asking the correct question. Those suffering back pain radiating from an unknown origin become depressed and at time even powerless in their ability to complete the simplest of tasks. Something as typical as lifting up a child or grandchild to give them a hug, carrying out routine household tasks, tending to a cherished garden, etc. Those things that give purpose and meaning in having quality of life.
There are numerous types of back pain ranging from shooting pain in the back that can go into one or both legs, a burning pain generating from one particular area in the back, or a hot more intense burning pain radiating from the upper, middle or lower back. Even though it’s in most cases for the back pains because being due to a serious ailment or serious damage, without proper diagnosis it’s difficult to discover the cause.
To learn whether or not a person needs an X-ray to diagnose or assist in diagnosing their back pain will begin with the answering of some general questions from their health care professions. What kind of lifestyle the person has, what kind of tasks do they perform at their place of employment, when did the pain start, how long has the back pain been around a problem, has the patient been in any serious accidents, etc.? Next the physician will examine the patient to determine their capacity to sit without difficulty, to stand for a long period of time or what their ability is when lifting their legs. He will test their range of movement within their back, are awkward movements the source of pain flare-ups and so on.
After these inquiries are sufficiently explored, the level of pain experienced, the inability to sit, move or stand will then be measured. After the examination the physician will then determine of having and X-ray is the next step of the process to gain a diagnosis. There are also some ‘red flags’ that would immediately require not only an X-ray but blood tests. If the patient has recently suffered an onset of bladder dysfunctions, suffering leg weakness, numbness between the inner thighs or back pain that has been ongoing for more than a month and when the patient has had back surgery previously.
The best course of action is to contact a back pain clinic that specializes not only in back pain but one who also offers all the needed tests including x-rays within their clinic. Harley Street Physiotherapy is located in London and they have a great reputation for being able to help those suffering from all types of back pain. Call Kuer Clinic today to find out if getting an x-ray to diagnose your back pain is needed, will also provide assistance to manage your pain.