Back pain is one of the most common complaints that drive individuals to the doctor’s office. MedlinePlus states that 80% of people suffer it at least once in their lifetime.
Despite the frequency of their occurrence, back injuries often end up dismissed as fake or not serious. Those filing Social Security Disability claims for them may face frustrating, unjustified suspicion or denials. This is in part due to the fact that they are difficult to officially diagnose for a number of reasons.
1. There are many possible causes
It may be difficult for a doctor to give a diagnosis because there are so many potential factors that may contribute to the issue. In many cases, there is not a single cause but multiple combined ones. A person’s lifestyle may also be partially or completely responsible. Overusing the back muscles, hunching over, sitting too much, standing too long, failing to sleep enough, consuming inflammatory foods and more may result in back pain.
2. The back is complex and composed of many structures
The back contains a multitude of nerves, bones, discs, muscles and ligaments. Figuring out which one the pain originates from may turn into an arduous task.
3. Pain is hard to pinpoint
Patients may experience unpleasant sensations from more than one location. Pain may also radiate out or travel from the actual source, causing people to feel it in a different spot. It is also very subjective, with every individual possessing a different level of tolerance. Determining the severity of a wound from descriptions of the amount of suffering is hard.
Though there are those who view claims of back injuries as suspect, the fact is they are simply hard to identify and treat. A long wait time or series of tests for official confirmation is not unusual.
