Take These Steps if You Suffer a Back Injury

Get this: experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives.

Sometimes it’s serious, but sometimes it’s not. However, even if you think the injury will heal on its own, you must take action to protect yourself.

Here are some basic steps to take if you suffer a back injury:

•    Assess the cause: Can you pinpoint what caused the injury, such as a fall from height or a car accident? The more information you can collect regarding the cause, the better off you’ll be.
•    Rest it: If you don’t know the cause of your back injury, maybe because you woke up in pain, rest it for a few days to see what happens. While doing so, ice and heat therapy can help alleviate some of your symptoms.
•    Get medical help: If your symptoms don’t subside, seek medical care. Your doctor can examine you and order a variety of tests, such as an X-ray and MRI, to pinpoint your injury and discuss treatment options.

No two back injuries are exactly the same, but one thing holds true for all of them: it’ll stop you in your tracks. Rather than live with the pain, get the help you need to overcome your injury.

Virginia Spine Specialists is an award-winning, minimally invasive spinal care practice with locations in Fredericksburg, VA and Manassas, VA. We also serve these Northern and Central Virginia locations: Haymarket, Gainesville, Culpepper, Front Royal, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Colonial Beach, Tappahannock and Lake Anna.