When considering spine health, most people only consider back pain and aches. Nonetheless, since the spine houses nerves that send signals across the body, you could experience issues stemming from the spine that you may not readily tell. You could visit Dr. Kamal Woods Dayton for back pain only to uncover spine issues affecting more than your back. This is since spine injuries or defects impact the nerves linked to more than your back, which can result in more problems beyond back pain. Among the issues that don’t directly affect your back but that should prompt you to see a spine specialist includes the following:
Limbs weakness or numbness
Weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs, feet, hands, or arms could stem from spine problems. This is mainly in the lower back region, which houses the nerve connecting your brain to the limbs. These nerves can be compressed, affecting how the signals travel from the brain to your limbs. In such cases, you might experience concerns like your leg giving out when walking down or up the stairs you usually navigate easily.
The spine issue could stem from a bone spur, a herniated or slipped disc, or stenosis (narrowing of the space in the spinal canal). The problem can resolve on its own, but if it is persistent and left untreated, you could suffer significant nerve damage that can reduce your range of motion.
Finger and hand agility changes
Has your handwriting changed, or are you struggling with the zipper and buttons? The upper back and neck spinal area connects to your hands, arms, and fingers. When impacted by changes like trauma, the spinal column can affect your hand and finger agility, making it harder to manage activities requiring using your hands.
Bladder or bowel function problem
You may not readily see the connection between your bowel and bladder troubles, but it could be a spinal issue. This is more so when the bladder and bowel movement challenges are accompanied by numbness or tingling around your groin area. It could be Cauda equina syndrome which results from compressed nerves at the base of your spinal column. Cauda equina syndrome requires prompt care since, if left untreated, it can result in permanent damage.
Persistent back or neck pain
Back pain is a common problem, but it shouldn’t be ignored when it is persistent. This is more so if the pain has no apparent explanation or does not respond to your remedies, including ret and pain medication. Back and neck pain could indicate more than the usual culprits like slipped disc, muscle strain, bone fractures, or ligament injuries. It could be a sign of osteoarthritis, which require proper care to mitigate complications such as bone death (osteonecrosis).
Apparent spine issues like pain or misalignment (scoliosis) are not the only reasons you should visit a specialist. Your spine’s health impacts the whole body since communications to various organs rely on nerves protected by the vertebrae. With prompt attention, the spine specialist can provide immediate attention that can help you avoid invasive treatments like surgery. Visit Vertrae(R) today for all your spine-related concerns.