Your spine, the central support structure, requires tender love and care. Your productivity takes a considerable blow if it is not at its best since activities like walking, standing, bending, or twisting are affected. Minor issues such as pain after an injury can go away after home care like a rest or ice. In other cases, you might need professional care. If you suspect you have Shrewsbury kyphosis, do not let the condition deteriorate, which might require surgery.

Over time, even with practical spine care measures, it takes hits that could result in problematic issues. From kyphosis and scoliosis to lordosis, you can experience certain spine deformities that affect its effectiveness. The tricky part is that some of the conditions do not include usual signs such as pain or discomfort, making it harder to know when you should see a specialist. So, how can you spot signs of developing issues? Here are the common tells you should not ignore.

Bladder/bowel problems

Is your ability to go to the bathroom changing? You may even experience numbness or tingling in the groin area. While you might not think about the spine when bladder or bowel problems hit, they might indicate issues like nerve compression at the spinal column’s base. If left unattended, the compression could lead to nerve damage. This worsens the problem since nerve damage could disrupt digestion and cause abdominal pain.

Limb’s numbness/pain

Are you experiencing pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, feet, toes, or fingers? You might have a hard time working the zipper or going up/down the stairs in such cases. Such experience can affect your agility and indicate a spine problem, more so in the lumbar. If the nerves are compressed, you will experience such issues. This mostly occurs due to herniated/slipped disc, and while it can go away on its own, seeking professional assistance is recommended to ensure the problem does not worsen.

Limited range of motion

Bending, twisting sideways, or standing up straight is more challenging as you age, but don’t always discount such experiences. If you cannot manage motion without pain, it could indicate you have a spine issue and need professional attention. Such pain could extend, getting in the way of your daily activities. Over time such worsening pain could mean even getting out of bed in the morning hurts. A limited range of motion can turn your life inside out, emphasizing the need to see a spine specialist before it gets out of hand.

Back and neck pain, especially that lasts for weeks and only gets worse, are apparent indications that you should visit a spine doctor. Nonetheless, if you listen to your body, you can spot other issues that might not seem directly linked to it but stem from a misaligned or deformed spine. Many spine issues can be corrected using non-surgical or minimally invasive surgery if spotted in good time. If you suspect you might have an issue, don’t wait; contact or visit the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine today.

By Alexander James

Beau Alexander James: Beau, a mental health advocate, shares personal stories, coping strategies, and promotes mental health awareness and understanding.