The spine is one of the most essential parts of the body. It plays a vital role in our posture and how we move, but it is also one of the most complex parts of the human body. However, like any other body part, the spine can develop disorders that affect your quality of life. Some of the most common spine conditions include but are not limited to scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and stenosis. A majority of these conditions are due to poor posture over time. But many other factors can cause spine disorders such as genetics, age, injury, or excessive strain. This article looks at some signs that you need to see Dr. Evan O’Brien in Woodbury, a specialist in diagnosing and treating spinal conditions.
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Trouble Walking and Sitting
Disorders of the spine can affect how people walk and sit, and this is an undeniable sign that you need an evaluation by a spine doctor. If you find yourself needing to push yourself up from a chair or struggle with simple tasks such as tying your shoes, it may be because your back pain has progressed to the point where it’s affecting your daily life.
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Tingling and Numbness
Disorders in the spine can also affect how you feel when they start to affect the nerves in your body. If you’re suffering from numbness or tingling, this may result from the pain transmitted to various parts of your body through the affected nerves. For example, in the case of a herniated or ruptured disc, this can affect the sciatic nerve and cause pain to radiate from your low back down your leg.
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Loss of Balance and Clumsiness
Disorders in the spine can also affect how you feel when moving around because your sensory and motor functions may be affected. If this is the case, you may find that you need to compensate for these changes to move around. This can lead to falling and a loss of coordination while walking or doing other tasks such as driving.
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Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control
Loss of bladder or bowel control can also be a sign of something wrong with your spine, especially if you find yourself suddenly experiencing one of these issues without any warning. A ruptured or herniated disc is the cause in most cases of this type of spinal disorder because it affects the nerves that control these functions.
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Back Pain
Of course, back pain is the most common symptom of a spine disorder, and it can be difficult for you to pinpoint what’s causing your discomfort. However, there are some signs that you may notice if this is happening to you regularly. If your low back pain or neck pain has been going on for more than a few weeks, then you should consider the possibility of a spine disorder, especially if the pain is getting worse. If this is the case, you need to visit a specialist as soon as possible for an evaluation.
In summary, there are many signs that you may need to see a spine specialist. Suppose you’re experiencing pain, numbness or tingling, loss of balance and coordination, loss of bowel or bladder control, back pain that has been going on for weeks, or suddenly pains without any warning. In that case, it’s time for you to see a specialist.
