Friday Health & Wellness

Back Pain, Snowbirds & Why Specialty Clinics Schedule Out

Every fall and winter, clinics see a pattern.

Seasonal residents arrive with back pain that has been building for weeks — sometimes months — and they want to see a spine surgeon immediately.

I understand why.

Back pain is uncomfortable.

It disrupts sleep.

It limits movement.

It makes everything feel urgent.

But here’s something important for your health:

Most back pain is not a surgical emergency.

Spine surgeons are not urgent care providers. They are specialists who evaluate complex cases — often after conservative treatments have been tried.

Specialty clinics operate differently than primary care.

They are:

• Referral-based

• Triage-driven

• Often scheduled weeks to months in advance

• Prioritizing true emergencies first

Emergencies include:

• Sudden loss of bowel or bladder control

• Progressive weakness

• Severe neurological changes

• Trauma with concerning symptoms

Those cases move quickly.

But routine back pain — even when it’s painful — often requires a stepwise approach first:

• Imaging (if appropriate)

• Physical therapy

• Anti-inflammatory care

• Pain management

• Activity modification

Surgery is usually not the first step.

Understanding this process helps lower frustration and stress — and stress alone can worsen muscle tension and pain perception.

Health & Wellness isn’t just about treatment.

It’s about understanding how care works.

If you’re planning seasonal travel and have ongoing back issues, consider:

• Establishing care before you travel

• Bringing imaging and records with you

• Scheduling in advance when possible

• Having realistic expectations of specialty timelines

Your body deserves thoughtful care — not rushed care.

And sometimes patience is part of healing.

— Lady Flava