Every November, mustaches start popping up everywhere. That’s Movember, a global movement that raises awareness for men’s health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. At its core, Movember has a simple message: don’t wait to take care of yourself!
That message applies to your spine, too. Many men live with back pain for months, or even years, before they talk to a specialist. By then, a problem that could have been addressed earlier may be harder to treat.
Why Men Put Off Getting Help
Most men say they care about their health. In Cleveland Clinic’s 2024 MENtion It survey, 95% of men said living a healthy lifestyle is a top priority. Yet only 61% of Gen X and Baby Boomer men said they get a yearly physical, and just 32% of Millennial and Gen Z men said the same. Busy schedules, cost, and not wanting to hear bad news are common reasons men put off care.
With back pain, those habits often sound like this:
- “It’s just part of getting older.”
- “I’ll rest it this weekend.”
- “I can’t take time off work.”
- “It’ll go away on its own.”
Sometimes back pain does ease up. But pain that keeps coming back, or slowly gets worse, is your body’s way of saying something needs attention.
What Waiting Can Cost You
Some spine conditions, like herniated discs and spinal stenosis, can get worse over time. When a nerve stays under pressure for too long, it can lead to numbness, weakness, or loss of function that may be harder to reverse.
Waiting also takes a toll on everyday life. Poor sleep, less time being active, and missed moments with family add up. Many men also change the way they move to work around the pain, which can put extra strain on other parts of the body.
Signs It’s Time to See a Spine Specialist
Talk to your doctor about a spine specialist if you notice:
- Back or neck pain that lasts longer than a few weeks or keeps returning
- Pain that travels down your arms or legs
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Pain that wakes you up at night or makes it hard to walk or stand
- Treatments recommended by your primary care provider aren’t bringing relief
If you suddenly lose control of your bladder or bowels, or have numbness in your groin area, seek emergency care right away.
Expert Spine Care When You Need It
Seeing a spine specialist doesn’t mean you’re signing up for surgery. Surgery usually comes after other treatments have been tried. But when surgery is the right next step, experience matters.
Nebraska Spine Hospital is a physician-led specialty hospital dedicated exclusively to spine care. We’re proud to be recognized as the only Spine Center of Excellence in the region. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons and experienced care team guide you from your first consultation through recovery. We’re the best at what we do because it’s all we do.
This Movember, Don’t Wait
Taking care of your health is how you stay active for the people and things you love. If back pain has been slowing you down, now is the time to get answers!
