When to Seek Medical Help for Back Pain

Around 80-90% of Americans have experienced some form of back pain in their lives. Back pain can mean a multitude of things: it could be a muscle strain, or it could be a symptom of an underlying issue, like a kidney stone or endometriosis. Pain often gets better on its own, but knowing when to see a doctor for back pain is critical for maintaining a happy and healthy life.

Why Does Your Back Hurt?

The most common form of back pain is lower back pain. Our lower backs have only five vertebrae, and we rely on these vertebrae to do most of our heavy lifting. The lower back bears the weight of our entire upper body, and experiences constant movement and stress – all of which can contribute to injury, wear, and tear.

Back pain can last anywhere from a few days, to months and years. There are three different types of back pain:

• Acute back pain happens suddenly but only lasts for a few days to a few weeks.
• Subacute back pain can happen suddenly or over time, lasting for 4-12 weeks.
• Chronic back pain may appear all of a sudden or slowly over time. Chronic back pain occurs every day and lasts longer than 12 weeks.

What Are Common Causes of Back Pain? 

Back pain can be the result of many different injuries and conditions. Some common conditions linked to back pain include: 

• Muscle strain – Heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement, like being in a car accident, can strain your back muscles and spinal ligaments. Muscle strains are seen more often in patients in poor physical condition.
• Arthritis – Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back, and is the most frequent cause of lower back pain. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to spinal stenosis. 
• Herniated discs – Herniated or bulging discs happen most frequently in the lower back. The injured disk could press on or irritate nearby nerves, which causes pain in the lower back and other areas of the body. 
• Failed back surgery – Failed back surgery syndrome occurs when there is continued or reoccurring pain following spinal surgery. 
• Disease – Spine tumors, infections, and cancer can cause back pain. Other conditions include kidney stones and an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Temporary lower back pain can be attributed to menstrual cramps and pregnancy. 

Because back pain is so common, it can be hard to tell when to be worried about your lower back pain. Reach out to your doctor when the pain becomes bothersome and prevents you from performing your usual activities. 

When to See a Doctor for Lower Back Pain

Sometimes lower back pain improves over time with home treatment and rest. Contact your healthcare professional when

• Pain lasts longer than a few weeks
• Pain becomes severe and does not improve with rest
• Spreads down to one or both legs
• Causes weakness in one or both legs
• Is seen with unexplained weight loss 

When to Go to the ER for Back Pain

For some people, back pain is the signal of a more serious medical problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, seek immediate help when back pain:

• Causes bowel or bladder issues
• Is accompanied by a fever
• Causes difficulty standing or walking 
• Is paired with loss of consciousness 
• Extends from your lower back to your abdomen 
• Is accompanied by sudden numbness in your pelvic region or both legs

These symptoms may indicate a major problem with your blood vessels, spine, or nerves. Left untreated, symptoms could cause lasting damage. In these situations, receiving immediate medical help is critical. 

Who Can Treat Back Pain?

Your primary care provider can help with a recent strain or mild back injury. When pain becomes severe, or is accompanied with other symptoms like numbness or tingling, we recommend seeking out a specialized back doctor. Schedule a consultation to speak with a specialist about your back pain.