Back pain is a very common ailment. Around one in three of us will experience back pain each year. In most cases, the lower back is the source of most of the pain, and there is usually no serious cause. However, in some cases, back pain can become a chronic condition and last for many months or years.
In most cases, you can manage back pain at home without medical assistance beyond over-the-counter pain-killers. But if your pain becomes chronic, you may need the extra level of support that is provided by our GP home doctor service from Torremolinos to Sotogrande.
Diagnosing Chronic Back Pain
Your GP will usually be able to diagnose chronic pain from your description of your symptoms and by conducting a physical examination. But if you have other signs that indicate a possible secondary condition, our GP home doctor service from Torremolinos to Sotogrande may recommend some further tests such as:
- an X-ray
- an MRI scan
- blood tests.
If you've been suffering from back pain for a long time without your condition improving, our GP home doctor service from Torremolinos to Sotogrande may recommend that you arrange to see a specialist who deals specifically with back pain.
Self-help Tips For Lower Back Pain
Usually, back pain eases in a few days or weeks. In most cases, you should not need to speak to our GP home doctor service from Torremolinos to Sotogrande at all. However, there are a few things our team can recommend to help you manage back pain before you need us, often you do not need to see your GP.
Techniques for Managing Back Pain at Home
- Stay Active.
- Continue day-to-day activities as much as possible.
- Avoid heavy lifting or twisting your back.
- Do gentle exercises and stretches.
- Take over-the-counter medications to relief pain and inflammation.
- Apply heat or cold packs to your back (do not apply the packs directly to your skin).
- Sleep with a small cushion underneath your knees.
Advanced Treatment Options for Chronic Back Pain
Our GP home doctor service from Torremolinos to Sotogrande will usually encourage you to try self-help measures before seeking any further treatment. However if after a long period of time these self-help methods do not improve your condition, we suggest you try a more advanced treatment for longer-lasting results.
Depending on the type and severity of symptoms you are experiencing and how they are affecting your everyday life, our GP home doctor service team may also offer you more specialized medicines or refer you for other, more intensive, types of treatment. If our GP team suspects your pain is being caused by something specific, they may suggest you see a specialist.
Remember, it's important to bear in mind that some treatments are designed to help you manage your pain rather than to cure it.
If you suffer from back pain and would like more information on how to manage it, or are you concerned about your pain, you may have become chronic, get in touch. We provide GP home doctor service from Torremolinos to Sotogrande who are on hand to offer the care you need, when and where you need it.