If you suffer from frequent back pain, you’ve probably wondered whether it’s hiding something serious. Have frantic Internet searches for your symptoms led you nowhere or, on the contrary, totally freaked you out? We understand! To understand back pain a little better, and to find out whether it’s serious or not, we contacted a pro in the field. Julien Piller, physiotherapist at Physio Nations, explains what back pain is.
My back is blocked, is it serious?
Acute back pain is not serious in most cases. It is probably a lumbago. Your muscles are very tight and blocking the proper functioning of your spine.
The good news is that a blocked back is not serious. The bad news is that it can hurt a lot! Rest, warmth and you should be back on your feet in a few days.
I have chronic back pain. How do I know if it’s serious?
Chronic back pain can have hundreds of causes. If you work a lot sitting down, or are a fairly sedentary person, it’s probably due to a lack of mobility in your back. Fortunately, it’s easy to work on, and a visit to a physiotherapist can help.
There are, however, more serious back problems. Degenerative disc herniation springs to mind. This is the deterioration of the intervertebral discs, which can cause severe pain. In the most serious cases, Julien explains that it’s essential to consult a doctor when:
- You have a loss of strength in your arms or legs
- You have reduced sensitivity in your legs
In this case, you should go to emergency immediately. This could mean that your nerves are compressed. If this is not treated quickly, you could suffer irreversible damage.
If your back pain is accompanied by a fever and red or swollen areas on your back, it could be an infection, for example. In this case, too, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
A word from the expert
Julien Piller
‘When you start to experience loss of strength and sensitivity, often in the legs, it’s vital to seek medical advice. Depending on the pathology, the damage can be irreversible if it is treated too late. ’
What tests are carried out for back pain?
It all depends on what the doctors suspect. The following tests are often prescribed for back pain:
- X-ray
- MRI
- CT scan, particularly if a herniated disc is suspected
- Blood test, if there is a risk of infection
It all depends on your symptoms and pain. In addition, clinical tests are carried out to determine the severity of the problem, such as leg lifts or strength measurements.
Who should I see about back pain?
For acute pain such as lumbago, you can always consult an osteopath. His or her techniques may be a little more direct than those of a physiotherapist, for a quicker result. His services are reimbursed at a certain percentage by supplementary health insurance.
For chronic ailments (which are not serious pathologies), however, it is strongly recommended that you see a physiotherapist. His/her role is to understand where the pain comes from and to work on it by strengthening your back. He/she will use various techniques, such as mobility and strengthening exercises. Their services are covered by basic health insurance, but only if prescribed by your GP. However, it is perfectly possible to go without a prescription! But in that case, you will have to pay for the session out of your own pocket. A physio session costs CHF 51.30.
