Anyone can experience back pain, but when does it reach a point that you need to make a doctor’s appointment? Everyone has experienced some kind of back pain. It could be caused by something as serious as a car accident or a slip and fall to something as seemingly harmless as bending over the wrong way or picking up something just a little too heavy. Most take up the same at-home treatments — ice and rest, and not overdoing it by taking it easy for a few days. Usually that does it. But what if it doesn’t? When does the time arrive that you have to see a doctor? “Back pain has a very serious impact on many lives, but the troubling fact is that many of those same people avoid treatment out of this misconception,” said Dr. Brett Walker, McLaren Macomb orthopedic spine surgeon, about people thinking surgery is the first and only option. “The truth is that surgery is our last option. There are several noninvasive therapies I’ll lead my patients through before we begin considering surgery.” Dr. Walker takes a personal approach with his patients, working with them by first recommending noninvasive treatment options, such as physical therapy or injections, leaving surgery as a final option. He encourages people suffering with seemingly endless back pain to not delay seeking help. When to see the doctor about back pain Leg pain, weakness or numbness Pain or other sensations in the legs may be the result of bones in the spine compressing on a nerve running down the leg. Excessive morning back stiffness A stiff back is quite common in the morning, but if it reaches the severity of barely being able to get out of bed, then it could be a sign of a more serious condition. Loss of bowel control One potential cause of bladder and bowel incontinence, including not being able to fully empty the bladder, is a compressed nerve. Pain is constant and/or continues when laying down A certain level of back pain can be expected after strenuous exercise or a traumatic incident, but if the pain is consistent and/or persists even when laying down or resting, a healthcare professional should be consulted. Pain persists for more than two weeks Back pain can come and go, but if it sticks around for two weeks or more, especially if there are no signs that it’s getting any better, help must be sought. Orthopedic spine surgery at McLaren Macomb Address your back pain. Make an appointment with Dr. Brett Walker by calling (586) 493-3890.