Chronic back pain affects 619 million people globally and is the leading cause of disability. The good news is that chronic back pain rehabilitation and treatment are extremely accessible and include many options. (source)
Many people think chronic back pain is normal, but at UDI, we believe back pain isn’t normal–it’s just common. Last year at UDI, we scanned over 2,500 patients with chronic back pain seeking the next step in their treatment. While MRI and other diagnostic imaging aren’t the only solutions for identifying and eventually treating back pain, they serve as a useful tool for gaining insight into the holistic landscape of each patient’s unique experience.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss:
- What are the causes and symptoms of chronic back pain?
- When is the right time to consider treatment for chronic back pain?
- How can MRI help with treating back pain?
- Where to get same-day or next-day MRI in Central Florida
What are the causes and symptoms of chronic back pain?
It’s important to note that not all back pain is considered chronic back pain. Intermittent back pain is normal for a person with a typical movement routine. Chronic back pain, however, is qualified by having lasted at least 3 months without subsiding.
Common symptoms or presentations of back pain include muscle aches, burning, or stabbing sensations, or sometimes, a shooting pain cascading down the leg.
Some common movements that may exacerbate back pain include bending, twisting, stretching, lifting, standing, and walking/running. Given that these kinds of movements are mostly necessary for daily life, it’s no surprise that back pain is so common.
When is the right time to consider treatment for chronic back pain?
If your chronic back pain has persisted with little to no subsiding for longer than 6-8 weeks, this could be a sign to seek medical treatment. If resting doesn’t mitigate your back pain, this could also be a sign that your back pain is more severe than can be self-managed at home.
Additionally, if any more troubling symptoms occur alongside your chronic back pain, such as rapid weight loss, weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs, new bowel or bladder problems, fever, or new pain resulting from a recent fall or injury, you should seek medical care urgently.
How can MRI help with treating back pain?
While MRI is a useful tool for diagnosing conditions like tumors, strokes, and heart diseases, it is also a key component in identifying inflammation and joint damage, such as ligament tears or cartilage issues.
If you’ve been dealing with back pain (whether chronic or temporary), getting an MRI can help pinpoint what exactly is going on, and how you can move forward with a treatment plan. MRI won’t heal your pain, but it can illuminate which specific area of your back is affected by it.
Some common ailments spotted in a high-quality spinal MRI include:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Nerve compression
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Structural damage
- Fractures or other bone issues
If your spinal/back MRI shows any of these common back issues, your road to recovery becomes clearer, faster. At UDI, all of our patients get a free consultation with a doctor included with every scan once the scan results come in. That way, we help our patients determine the next steps in the recovery.
Where to get same-day MRI in Central Florida
If you’re thinking, “Wait, aren’t MRI appointments typically hard to get without a present medical emergency? And aren’t they usually booked out months in advance?”, you’d be (mostly) correct.
At UDI, we’re proud to offer high-quality 3T MRI in a comfortable setting, without the noise, hassle, or delays of a hospital. Same-day and next-day MRI appointments with fast results are available at our Winter Park and Orlando locations. Book your next MRI with UDI by calling 407-975-3315 or filling out this appointment request form.
Stay healthy.
