If you have back pain after you have visited a doctor and after you have tried to treat it yourself (by taking medication or changing the way you move overall), you can ask for a referral to another health practitioner that might specialize in your problem and can thus more effectively sort out the problem. You will probably get sent to a physiotherapist first and then you might have to go to a hospital to get examinations, treatments and various tests. You can also choose to approach a specialist first if you know a normal doctor will not be able to help you. You can go directly to a physiotherapist, to a chiropractor or to an osteopath. However, people who try to avoid this are aware of all the extra costs involved.
To visit a specialist and get back pain relief, sessions might cost around R300 each and then you will also need to follow the program or course of treatment the practitioner gives you and this will incur many more costs. Make sure you use your national health insurance as much as possible before turning to private insurance and cash out of your own pocket. Many doctors can refer you to appropriate acupuncturists and osteopaths and can inform you about all the financial options. If you want to see a private practitioner, make sure you choose one based on recommendations or someone you trust. Ask people you know who have had back problems and had them successfully cured by a certain practitioner. However, you should be aware that your problem will never be identical to someone else’s, so you definitely need to see the practitioner yourself instead of taking the same precautions and treatments as a friend.
Make changes to your life to help the pain and try to put as little strain as possible on your spine. Reduce the stress in your back by increasing exercise, including doing yoga or Pilates. Do meditation and get more sleep. Relax fully at least once a day by listening to soothing music. Also, stop smoking, because this causes blood to have a difficult time getting oxygen to your muscles and this weakens your back.
Click here to contact us TODAY
Leave a Comment