Washington DC Metropolitan Area
WebMD has identified 583 Orthopedic Surgeons in the Washington DC area (22 counties and 758 zip codes).
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Understanding Back Pain -- Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Back Pain?
Most people have experienced back pain sometime in their life. The causes of back pain are numerous; some are self-inflicted due to a lifetime of bad habits. Other back pain causes include accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries. Although the causes may be different, most often they share the same symptoms.
Symptoms of back pain can include:
- Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the tail bone
- Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back -- especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity. (Pain in the upper back can also be a sign of a heart attack or other life-threatening conditions.)
- Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods
- Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes
- Inability to stand straight without having severe muscle spasms in the low back
Call Your Doctor About Back Pain If:
- You feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs; this may signal damage to the spinal cord.
- The pain in your back extends downward along the back of the leg; you may be suffering from sciatica.
- The pain increases when you cough or bend forward at the waist; this can be the sign of a herniated disc.
- The pain is accompanied by fever, burning during urination, or strong-smelling urine; you may have an infection.
- You begin to have problems controlling your bowels or bladder.
Other "red flags" that could point to a serious problem include:
- A history of cancer
- You have been losing weight without trying
- You have been on steroids or medication that weakens your immune system
- A history of trauma
- Pain that is getting worse and does not get better after you rest
- Pain that has lasted more than a month
- Nighttime pain
- Unresponsive to earlier back therapies
- A history of IV drug use
Local Search Results in Washington DC
- InterventionWhether to initiate therapy for depression depends on the probability that the patient will recover spontaneously in the next 2 to 4 weeks,the degree of functional impairment,and the severity and duration of the depressive symptoms.[ 1 ] Studies have shown that treatment of major depression is optimized by a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Thus,even if a primary care ...WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute
- Breast Cancer Screening ModalitiesMammography Mammography utilizes ionizing radiation to image breast tissue. The examination is performed by compressing the breast firmly between a plastic plate and an x-ray cassette that contains special x-ray film. For routine screening,examination films are taken in mediolateral oblique and craniocaudal projections. Both views should include breast tissue from the nipple to the pectoral ...WebMD Public Information from the National Cancer Institute
- Simple Tricks for Avoiding Everyday PainSome pain may be caused by chronic underlying medical conditions and requires a doctor's care. But often, you can avoid everyday pain with a few simple tips.WebMD Feature
Back Pain ResourcesBack Pain ResourcesWebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise- Massage May Be Best Approach for
Back Pain Combination of Treatments Often NecessaryWebMD Health News
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