What Are the Warning Signs of a Potentially Serious Problem?

The following signs or symptoms can indicate a more serious problem. Be sure to tell your doctor of chiropractic as soon as you start experiencing them, even if it means calling after office hours.

• Your pain extends into your arm, leg, chest, or abdomen. Pain extending beyond the spine can represent a simple mechanical problem-or a serious condition. For example, pain extending into your arm(s) may be secondary to a heart problem. The sooner your doctor knows this, the sooner the problem can be addressed.
• You have progressive severe pain. Under the care of any doctor, you should begin to feel some relief within a reasonable period of time. If, at any point, your health begins to deteriorate, inform your doctor immediately. Pain is a warning sign that something is wrong with your body. Progressive pain often signifies a condition that should be investigated by your doctor as soon as possible.
• You develop neurological signs or symptoms. Numbness and tingling, although not always, are typically signs that a nerve is being compressed. This compression can occur secondary to problems with the discs in your spine, osteophytes (bone spurs) that are compressing nerves, or even from diseases like diabetes.
• Your pain becomes worse when you rest, or it awakens you at night. Night pain is generally an indication that a more serious condition is present. Generally, though not always, this occurs in older patients and should NEVER be ignored.
• You cannot find a comfortable position. Most people with musculoskeletal problems can find a position where they feel relatively comfortable. If you cannot find such a position, it may be an indication of disease of the organs in your abdomen, chest, or skull. For example, abnormal expansion of the abdominal aorta (the large blood vessel in your abdomen that supplies blood to your legs) can result in back pain that is unrelieved by positional changes. Such symptoms need to be investigated quickly.
• You develop a fever. Fever can be a sign of infection or it can be associated with other conditions, such as arthritis. You should notify your doctor immediately if you develop a fever.

You should also inform your doctor of chiropractic if you start receiving any other treatments from a medical doctor, physical therapist, massage therapist, or other health care provider. In addition, any self-treatment with vitamins, supplements, herbal medicines, or over-the-counter medications should be reported.

What Is Considered an Emergency?
If you experience any of the following, you should seek attention immediately, particularly if any of these symptoms were not present during your initial examination or if they have worsened:

• Paralysis
• Loss of bowel and/or bladder control
• Loss of vision
• Slurred speech
• Chest pain under your breast bone
• Shortness of breath
• A severe unrelenting headache that is worse than any you have ever had.

Your doctor of chiropractic has the knowledge, training, and expertise to help you understand what your problem is and, in many cases, manage it successfully. Remember, however, that the treatment program can be successful only with your active participation. If your doctor of chiropractic feels that he or she cannot help you, he or she will direct you to another health care provider.