How long should you have lower back pain before seeing a doctor?

Posted on 12/04/2021
by Shantelle Lovell
12/04/2021
0 comments

How long should you have lower back pain before seeing a doctor?

If your pain is severe or constant, lasts more than two weeks, keeps you from participating in your usual activities, or interrupts your sleep, see a doctor. You should also seek medical care for back pain if you have: Unexplained weight loss. Constant or intense pain, especially at night or when you lie down.

When does back pain require medical attention?

If your back pain is from a recent strain or mild injury, your primary care doctor can probably help. But if the pain is severe, ongoing, or accompanied by other symptoms such as numbness or tingling in your arms or legs, it may be time to see a back doctor.

How do you know if lower back pain is muscle or disc?

Your doctor can perform a neurological exam to check muscle strength, reflexes, walking ability, and the ability to feel touch. Imaging tests may be ordered to diagnose the cause of your pain. A CT scan shows cross-sectional images of the spinal column and can pinpoint a herniated disc.

How can I tell if my lower back pain is muscular?

Symptoms of pulled muscle in lower back

your back hurting more when you move, less when you stay still.
pain in your back radiating down into your buttocks but not typically extending into your legs.
muscle cramps or spasms in your back.
trouble walking or bending.
difficulty standing up straight.

If your back pain lasts more than two weeks and keeps you from participating in normal, daily activities, see your family doctor. If your pain is severe, you should see a doctor sooner. You should seek urgent medical care if you have: Fever associated with back pain.

Seek emergency medical care Call 911 or emergency medical help or have someone drive you to the emergency room if your back pain: Occurs after a high-impact car crash, bad fall or sports injury. Causes new bowel or bladder control problems. Occurs with a fever.

How do I know if my lower back pain is muscular?

When to go to the doctor for back pain?

Certain symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. While these conditions are rare, it is important to seek immediate medical attention should the any of the following symptoms accompany back pain: Additionally, if back pain begins after an injury immediate medical care is warranted to check for damage to the spine.

How to know if your back pain is an emergency?

4. Incontinence : Back pain paired with inability to control the bowels or bladder might be a sign of serious nerve compression or a spine infection, such as discitis or meningitis. 5. Numbness or pins and needles in the groin or glutes : This is known as saddle anesthesia and is also a sign of a serious nerve or spine condition.

When to seek medical attention for leg pain?

Leg pain can affect the foot, ankle, knee, thigh, or in any part of the leg. You should be concerned about your leg pain and schedule a physician’s appointment if you observe these accompanying symptoms: Seek immediate medical attention if you observe these symptoms: What are some of the most common causes of leg pain?

When to seek medical attention for sciatica pain?

When Sciatica Pain Is a Medical Emergency. The condition may be serious and immediate medical attention should be sought. If any type of leg weakness or numbness is present, the nerve may be damaged and it is important to seek attention from a health care professional. If the nerve is compressed and the pain and symptoms are severe,…

What to do if you have low back pain?

Physical therapy, medication, injectable anesthetics, or a combination of treatments usually can control symptoms. Degenerative disc disease, which can cause whole spine pain, and lumbar arthritis, which usually causes low-back pain, commonly develop with age and are considered wear-and-tear conditions.