Any back or neck injury requires immediate medical attention. Even if you think rest and relaxation will resolve the problem, you never know what’s going on until you consult with a medical professional.
A herniated disk, for example, has the potential to cause pain and decreased mobility for the rest of your life. The symptoms may not be terribly bad at first, but over time your symptoms could very well worsen.
The early symptoms of a herniated disk typically include muscle weakness, leg or arm pain and tingling or numbness.
If you experience any of these symptoms and realize that they’re not going away with rest, you’ll want to seek medical advice. At that point, you can decide which treatment strategy will help you get your life back on track.
If you ignore the symptoms and try to fight through the pain, you could face additional trouble in the future, including but not limited to bowel or bladder dysfunction, worsening symptoms and saddle anesthesia.
Back injuries don’t always go away on their own. Instead, they have a way of lingering, causing pain and discomfort well into the future.
If you suffer a back or neck injury on the job, don’t hesitate to seek medical care and report the injury to your employer. If you find that you have a herniated disk or some other type of injury, you’ll want to consult with a medical professional in regards to future treatment. Furthermore, if you can’t return to work right away, you should learn more about the workers’ compensation system and see if you qualify for benefits.
Source: Mayo Clinic, “Herniated disk,” accessed Jan. 17, 2018