Since back pain is not often considered as physically limiting as other disabilities, many people may not realize they could be eligible to receive disability insurance for back pain as long as they meet certain requirements. Acute back pain that goes away within a month may not qualify someone for disability benefits, but chronic and severe back pain might qualify someone in certain circumstances. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a credible disability as anything that limits someone mentally or physically for a significant length of time. Talk to a Philadelphia individual disability insurance lawyer if you are wondering if your back pain qualifies you for benefits. 

Types of Back Pain Recognized by the SSA

The SSA lists different types of back pain disorders like herniated discs, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, nerve root compression, intervertebral disc degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Any of these conditions can be chronic, meaning they can last 12 weeks or several years. Chronic back pain can be debilitating for a number of reasons. 

Almost any kind of chronic pain can significantly disrupt sleep, impair a person’s physical capabilities, and make performing certain work-related tasks difficult. Poor sleep from back pain can lead to sleep deprivation, which comes with a whole other set of negative effects. Some of these effects can impair driving, concentration, and work performance.

There are various treatments your doctor will consider to relieve your back pain. Depending on the type of medical condition your doctor diagnoses you with, you may be prescribed pain medications, physical therapy, exercise, or hot and cold packs. Different treatments can work better for different people and different conditions. In some instances, treatments may not ease your chronic back pain. This represents the worst-case scenario and is most likely to qualify you for disability benefits. 

Surgery can also be used for certain conditions but can be risky and expensive depending on your health insurance plan.  

More Than Just a Diagnosis

While the SSA may have your back pain disorder on the list of disorders they offer benefits for, this does not always mean they will automatically accept your application. Back pain is held to higher scrutiny than other disabilities because some back pain disorders are acute and do not significantly impair work performance. 

What you have to keep in mind then, when applying for disability benefits, is whether your back pain has lasted a year or more, your condition is caused by a physical problem with your spine, and the pain greatly impairs your ability to hold a steady job. To prove your back pain limits your ability to work, you can obtain notes from your doctor about the limitations and challenges your medical condition comes with. 

Disability Lawyer in Philadelphia

If you have experienced chronic back pain that limits your ability to work, consider hiring a Philadelphia disability lawyer to figure out the disability benefits application process. You can call Edelstein & Nelson at 1-800-300-0909 today for a consultation. Applying for benefits can often be complicated. We can walk you through what documents you need to collect and submit to increase your chances of approval.