If you are suffering from lower back pain for some time and you have got some relief then it is always recommend that you get it diagnosed to know the exact cause of lower back pain. Thereafter a physician will prescribe proper medication accordingly.
While with your physician, he will ask you several questions relating to your problem such as the medical history, the symptoms of the ailment, nature of your work and the kind of activities your involved in. Then the doctor will do a physical examination. Both queries and physical examination will help the physician in ruling out a serious cause behind the problem, if any. You may also be asked questions about any kind of stress you have either at the workplace or home as they make you more vulnerable to chronic lower back pain.
In case of people suffering from lower back pain, more often than not, the physician recommends a treatment after performing initial lower back test. After that, you may be asked by your physician to start home treatment and also to follow physical therapy.
In case your age is more than 50 or you suffer from some of the symptoms of some acute illness, in that situation, you might be asked to get some more tests done by your physician.
Tests for Lower Back Pain
If no negative signs of a serious condition are noticed in the initial lower back test, then it is most likely that you will not be required to have an imaging test since imaging tests are generally done if ;
Your age is above 50.
You had spine problems since birth which are known as congenital spine problems.
Signs of serious problems have been found in the history as well as physical exam. These problems may include fracture, tumor, infection or severe nerve damage.
Confirm if you ever had history of any kind of arthritis in the spine.
Have you ever suffered from a spine injury or have gone through back surgery in the past.
You had/ have been using a long-term steroid or have a history of drug-abuse.
Since you do not notice any sign of improvement and the problem of lower back pain worsens even after following home treatment for a month which may comprise of using pain relievers, ice and exercises.
Severe lower back pain has taken place various times.
Compensation is liable to be given to the worker if he was involved and got injured at workplace.
There is a lawsuit concerning injury.
However, the type of imaging test referred by the physician will vary according to the problem being expected by the physician.
Types of imaging tests are:
Spinal X-Ray
MRI
CT Scan
Bone Scan
Lately simpler and more effective testing methods for lower back pain have replaced imaging tests like the myelogram and discography. Now they are used only in hard-to-diagnose cases or before surgery. If you have been asked to get discography done, better think twice before you go for the test.
In the end, do not ignore if you are suffering from lower back pain or if you are not getting any relief from home treatments; the best option is that you get your lower back pain tests done to know the root cause of the problem and diagnosed accordingly.
You can also try a memory foam mattress, these mattresses have been used extensively in hospitals to help with back pain, Memory foam is now readily available on the market, there are a number of online retailers where you can buy these products with minimal of hassle.
Memory foam mattresses cushion the back and give it support which in turn gives your back time to heal.
Dave Clark is an experienced article writer and has been writing articles and books for many years, he is very knowledgeable in numerous fields, Dave also works part time for Cushy Sofa a manufacturer and online retailer of Divans, Memory Foam Mattresses, Memory Foam Toppers, Memory Foam Pillows and Memory Foam Sofas
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