You Don’t Have to Live With Back Pain

March 11, 2021 | Taking Care of Business Conference Emily Burns, ARNP, The Iowa Clinic,

Tensed up shoulders due to stress or slouching at less-than-ideal remote workstations, 2020 was a bad year for our postures—and our backs! Back pain is so widespread among U.S. adults that many of us have simply accepted it as a part of life. Emily Burns, ARNP, an expert at The Iowa Clinic's Back Pain Clinic, says we shouldn’t have to.

Her advice? Start by asking yourself these three questions:

  • Are back issues making everyday life difficult? Can I perform everyday household tasks without feeling pain?
  • Have I hit my pain threshold? On a scale of 0 to 10, where would you rate your daily pain? If your answer is a lower number, you may not need to seek immediate medical attention, but you should still address your back pain with your primary care provider.
  • Am I experiencing sudden weakness in a limb or bowel or bladder incontinence? If so, see your doctor or a back pain specialist as soon as possible. Those are red-flag symptoms indicative of potential serious issues.

If you answered yes to any of the above, it’s time to tackle your back pain. You can start with your primary care provider or get an expert opinion by visiting our Back Pain Clinic in West Des Moines. With treatment tailored to your needs, 2021 can be the year you say goodbye to back pain—for good.

Please consider this your personal invitation to join us. I look forward to seeing you there.