Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints among American adults, with data suggesting as many as 80% of men and women will have back pain at some point during their lives. While back pain is often caused by traumatic or overuse injuries (like a car accident or repetitive bending and lifting), chronic pain is generally associated with degenerative conditions (like arthritis or disc disease).
Given that back pain is so pervasive, it’s tempting to downplay it and attempt to treat your symptoms with home care. The problem is that only some types of back pain (like temporary muscle strain) improve with a little TLC. However, if your pain results from a more serious underlying problem, your back won’t improve — and may even worsen.
With practices in Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey, California, Sanjay Kurana, MD, offers patient-centered care for back pain. He focuses on each patient’s underlying condition, medical history, lifestyle, and other factors. Here is what he wants you to know about back pain — including when to seek professional care.
Back pain is never normal: It’s your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong. If you have back pain that lasts more than a few days, it’s time to schedule an evaluation. You should also call the office right away if:
Remember: Your back includes your spine, and your spine contains all your nerves as they travel from your brain to every other part of your body. Ignoring back pain or delaying treatment can have far-reaching consequences, potentially causing permanent nerve or muscle damage and long-term disability.
Because back pain affects so many activities, choosing the right doctor is crucial — not just for relieving your pain but also for preventing future problems. Reading online patient reviews can be helpful. But to ensure you get the best care, you need to look beyond online reviews and learn more about your doctor’s background.
Medicine is a broad field that includes lots of specialties and subspecialties. While that can be confusing sometimes, it works to your benefit. Medical specialization allows you to select a doctor with extensive experience in your specific issue — like back pain — to feel confident you’ll receive the most advanced care to help you feel better.
At the same time, you don’t want a doctor who’s so specialized; they only offer a couple of treatment options or only one type of treatment (like nonsurgical options, for instance). In this case, too much specialization limits your treatment options, making it harder to get the best treatment for your unique needs.
Ideally, you want a back doctor with in-depth experience in both non-surgical and surgical options. That way, you know the recommended care is in your best interests and based on your unique needs.
It’s also vital to look at a doctor’s educational credentials and training. For example, Dr. Khurana completed his medical degree at Stanford University, a prestigious university with a reputation for excellence in medical education.
He’s also fellowship-trained, meaning he’s had additional, in-depth medical training beyond his medical degree. Plus, he’s met the rigorous demands for certification required by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. All of these things mean greater peace of mind for you.
Back pain can take an enormous toll on many of your activities and your quality of life. Having your back pain evaluated early means you can find relief quickly — and take critical steps to prevent your pain from becoming more serious.
To learn how Dr. Khurana can help relieve your back pain, book an appointment online or over the phone today.
