So you woke up with an achy back or felt a twinge at the gym. For many people, a call to the chiropractor might be the next step. “About 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually. Of these, 7.7 million, or 35%, are seeking relief from back pain from various causes, including accidents, sports injuries, and muscle strains,” said WebMD. But how do you know when a chiropractor isn’t enough for back pain? When should you consult a back specialist or spine specialist to end your chronic back pain?

How to Know When a Chiropractor Isn’t Enough for Back Pain

The following is a guide to help you make your decision of choosing a chiropractor or a back doctor easier.

General Pain and Stiffness

Waking up with soreness or experiencing stiffness for a few days is typically the type of back pain that sends people to the chiropractor. An adjustment may provide some comfort. However, if the issue is recurring or not responding well (or fast) enough, a visit to your doctor may be indicated. There could be more serious or underlying conditions causing your back pain.

Treatment at the chiropractor will typically include a physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests depending on the issue, followed by spinal manipulation, which is “generally considered a safe, effective treatment for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from moving furniture or getting tackled,” said WebMD. “Acute back pain, which is more common than chronic pain, lasts no more than six weeks and typically gets better on its own.”

For the treatment of chronic back pain or other kinds of ailments, a trip to the doctor to diagnose the issue and develop a plan is recommended.https://www.discspine.com/procedures/minimally-invasive-spine-surgery/

“Research suggests that chiropractic treatment may be helpful for muscle-related or unexplained lower-back pain (but not for chronic issues such as arthritis),” said Health Magazine.

No matter what your condition, WebMD reminds you that it’s always a good idea to take precautions. “To be safe, always check with your medical doctor to make sure your condition will benefit from chiropractic or other pain relief alternatives,” they said.

Traumatic Injuries

Because chiropractic care generally involves alignment procedures, it makes sense that this type of treatment would be sought out after a sports injury, car accident, or some other kind of trauma. But there may be additional or underlying injuries that should be treated by a doctor. In some cases, spinal manipulation performed by a chiropractor could actually worsen these conditions rather than help them.

Keep in mind also that the “sudden, controlled force” of adjustments could actually have a detrimental effect, depending on the injury. “If the source of your pain is a slipped or herniated disc, in some cases spinal manipulation can actually make things worse, especially if it’s not performed correctly,” said Health Magazine. “If you’ve got any numbness or tingling, or if you have cancer, you should skip the chiropractor altogether. If not, see your doctor and ask her to refer you to one if she thinks it might help.”

Back Pain in Addition to Other Issues

Experiencing back pain that is accompanied by other symptoms can indicate a serious or even deadly condition. If you also have a fever, numbness in the back or legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, or unexplained pain, skip the chiropractor and get to the doctor as soon as possible. You don’t want to delay the care you need by seeing a chiropractor first.

Chronic Back Pain

While studies have shown chiropractic care to be effective for some acute back and neck pain, chronic pain may be another story. Experts advise that any back pain that isn’t better after six weeks is now considered chronic, and should be addressed by a leading spine doctor.

In some cases, chronic back pain and serious conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, vertebrae fractures, and degenerative disc disease will require surgery, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The good news for those suffering from constant back pain is the advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques that means treating chronic back pain is easier than ever, with outpatient surgical treatments, small incisions, and a quicker recovery time instead of a long hospital stay.

Some of the most effective medical procedures and a quick recovery time to eliminate your chronic back pain await you. For more information, contact DISC Spine Institute, experts in minimally invasive treatments for chronic back pain.