Back pain is one of the most common complaints that doctors hear from patients. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. While some cases of back pain may be mild and resolve on their own, others may be severe and require medical attention. When faced with back pain, many people are unsure if they should go to urgent care or seek other forms of medical treatment. In this blog post, we will explore the question of whether or not you should go to urgent care for back pain.
First, we will discuss the common causes of back pain and how they can be treated. We will then examine the different types of urgent care centers and the services they offer, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks of seeking medical care at an urgent care center. Finally, we will provide some tips for managing back pain at home and when it may be necessary to seek emergency medical attention.
Whether you are dealing with acute back pain or chronic pain
When to Go to the ER for Back Pain
Back pain that suggests a medical emergency should be taken to the emergency room. The likelihood of a serious adverse event or an incident that could leave a person permanently disabled defines an emergency. The warning symptoms and signs of an emergency for back problems typically appear suddenly and include a combination of the following:
- sensation suddenly disappearing in one or both legs, the groin, the genital area, or the anal region
- Inability to walk or stand
- Inability to control bowel movements
- Difficulty in passing urine or uncontrolled bladder movements
- Sudden, intolerable pain in the lower back and/or leg(s)
- Back pain that radiates to the abdomen in front
- Loss of consciousness
- Back pain that develops after a traumatic event, like a fall, sports injury, or auto accident
- Sudden back pain accompanied by osteoporosis and other known risk factors for fractures
Numerous of these symptoms are connected to issues with the spinal cord and/or cauda equina in the lower back, severe spinal nerve damage, organ-related damage, or even a possible fracture. To prevent permanent tissue damage and disability, it’s crucial to assess and treat these symptoms and signs right away.
It is advised to call 911 or go to the ER right away if any of the aforementioned symptoms are experienced. advertisement.
When to Go to Urgent Care for Back Pain
While some back pain symptoms may not require immediate attention the day they occur, others may require medical evaluation as soon as possible. It may be advised to visit an urgent care facility to assess these symptoms if a primary care physician or specialist appointment cannot be made within a week.
- back pain that has recently become more common and does not get better with over-the-counter or prescription drugs
- Back pain associated with nausea and/or vomiting
- Back pain that gets worse when doing certain things, like coughing, bending forward or backward, or twisting motions
- Back pain that travels down the hip and/or leg
- Recent onset of back stiffness
Even though an urgent care center might not have everything necessary for a thorough evaluation and diagnosis, the doctor can help find any unnoticed red flag symptoms. Additionally, an urgent care physician can recommend medications to temporarily reduce symptoms and can provide referrals or advice for additional testing or treatment.
- When Back Pain May Be a Medical Emergency
- Back Pain Red-Flags for Emergency Room vs. Physician Consults
Waiting for a Doctor’s Appointment Later in the Week
It may be safe to wait for a doctor’s appointment later in the week or by the following week if back pain is tolerable and does not produce alarming symptoms or signs. It’s crucial to seek treatment for back pain as soon as possible to avoid the condition getting worse and becoming chronic. Chronic back conditions can be more challenging to treat.
Self-care tips for back pain relief at home
Following specific self-care guidelines can help prevent back pain symptoms from escalating while you’re waiting for a doctor’s appointment. Back pain flare-ups can be treated effectively at home using non-prescription self-care methods like:
It might be possible to immediately schedule a telehealth virtual visit with a primary care physician thanks to the recent expansion of the availability of telehealth physician consultations. These visits can be used to review the symptoms, worries, and history with a virtual consultation in order to choose the best type of follow-up medical visit.
It’s a good idea to keep track of the things that make back pain worse and the things that make it better. A thorough history of the onset of the pain, its nature, and how it changed over time can help the doctor determine its root cause and make a precise diagnosis.
See When to Seek Medical Care for Low Back Pain
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FAQ
Will the ER do anything for back pain?
Emergency rooms aid in the stabilization of low back pain but do not provide long-term care. Even though you might feel better after going to the ER, the underlying condition rarely gets better on its own and needs to be treated with more medication.
How do I know if my back pain is serious?
If your back pain doesn’t go away after a few weeks or if any of the following symptoms appear along with it, you should consult a doctor: severe back pain that doesn’t get better on its own (see the Treatment section) Back pain after a fall or injury.
When should you get back pain checked out?
Consult your family physician if your back pain lasts longer than two weeks and prevents you from engaging in routine, everyday activities. You should see a doctor more quickly if your pain is severe. If you experience any of the following conditions, you should see a doctor right away:
What are the red flags for back pain?
“Red flags” include pain that lasts longer than six weeks, pain in people younger than 18 or older than 50, pain that radiates below the knee, a history of major trauma, constitutional symptoms, unusual pain (such as nighttime or unrelenting pain), and the presence of a severe or rapidly worsening condition.
Back Pain: When Should You Go to Urgent Care?
Reference:
https://www.thespineandrehabgroup.com/back-pain-urgent-care
https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/back-pain-red-flags-emergency-room-vs-physician-consults