I get you — back pain can be very annoying. You could have overdone your workout at the gym or pulled something while doing your chores. Or maybe you just woke up one morning with your back aching. Now you’re standing there; your back stretched with your palms placed where your back is aching, asking yourself, “should I go to urgent care for back pain?”
Maybe you feel like you want to brave through it, which is understandable. Still, it’s always best to be informed about healthcare issues, which is why I recommend that you know exactly when to go to an emergency room for back pain.
This article advises you regarding when to go to urgent care for back pain and hopes to inform you about the benefits of seeking professional care generally.
Before we begin exploring when to go to urgent care for back pain and the benefits of back pain, I would like to say that there is nothing to be alarmed about; back pain is very common. Did you know that 80% of the worldwide population is bound to experience back pain at least once in their lifetime?
It is common to get back pain from bad posture; numerous people face this issue. But suppose your back pain is a result of a disability or a severe underlying problem. In that case, treatment might be your best bet to prevent any further harm. So without further ado, let’s get to when you should seek treatment.
When to Go to Urgent Care for Back Pain
Depending on the severity of your pain — whether it’s persistent pain or the sudden onset of pain after a minor injury of your spinal cord — you should seek emergency care. For a quick appointment, I’d suggest you opt for a same-day appointment at your primary care provider or go to a walk-in clinic. Below are the situations in which you should seek medical care:
Progressive Leg Weakness Paired with Back Pain
If you are experiencing leg weakness even though you haven’t injured either of your legs, you might have gone through a recent trauma. Progressive leg weakness, severe pain in the legs, numbness, or tingling are common among people that have gone through trauma. If you are experiencing back pain and leg weakness, the pain may have spread or affected other parts of your body. In this case, it is best to contact your primary care doctor.
You are Experiencing Bladder Problems
When paired with bladder problems, back pain could be pointing at a significant health risk. Such symptoms can be linked to a ruptured aorta or an abdominal aneurysm. So, if you’re facing bladder problems such as incontinence along with back pain, please contact an urgent care center right away.
Sudden Onset of Pain that Won’t Go Away
You may have been experiencing minor back pain for several years. But if your pain appeared suddenly and lingered, these generally cause for alarm. Generally, the sudden onset of back pain in your body points to some type of injury or pulled muscle(s). If your back pain has not subsided even after a few days, you should visit urgent care clinics before the pain worsens.
Crippling Back Pain
In the case of minor pain, you might be able to go about your day without facing major issues. At the most, minor back pain is a nuisance. But if the pain gets debilitating and gets in your everyday life, it can quickly become very challenging. Therefore, I’d advise you against trying to fix the problem on your own; in the case of crippling back pain, you definitely need to seek immediate medical attention.
Should I Go to Urgent Care for Back Pain?
If you’ve been asking yourself, “should I go to urgent care for lower back pain” or “when to go to urgent care for back pain,” the symptoms mentioned above should be reason enough for you to go. If you feel the pain is centered at your lower back and coupled with one of the back pain symptoms mentioned, it is a sign you should seek urgent care for lower back pain. If your pain started after a fall or an accident, contact your urgent care doctor immediately.
Read Also: Back Pain After Abdominal Surgery: Causes, Remedies
Why should you go to Urgent Care for Back Pain?
Whether you’ve been facing chronic pain in your back or it started recently, whether it’s minor or severe pain, there are always benefits of seeking medical care. Below are the two main benefits you’ll reap if you go to urgent care for back pain:
You will Recover Faster
Your primary priority should always be your well-being. You deserve to feel better and get back to feeling healthy as soon as possible. Spine specialists have experience in dealing with these issues, and quality care will accelerate your pain relief journey. You might also want to contact your primary care physician or get referred to one.
You will be Better Informed
Urgent care clinics will help you in getting a diagnosis early on keep you informed about the underlying medical conditions causing your back to ache. With the expert advice of your doctor or primary physician, you will know what to do and will be able to assess the treatment options available to you. Along with saving you from a lot of potential pain in the future, reliable advice will also help you save money.
Bottom Line
This article explored when urgent care for back pain is necessary and why urgent care for back pain is generally beneficial. If you still find yourself asking “when to go to the emergency room for back pain,” below is a summary of what symptoms (or combination of symptoms) will classify as a true emergency:
Back pain — when to go to the emergency room:
- You experience a sudden loss of sensation in either or both of your legs, or your genital region,
- You are unable to control bowel movements,
- You suddenly cannot walk or stand,
- You experience difficulty while passing urine or start to lack control in bladder movements,
- Should I go to Urgent Care for Back Pain
- You lose consciousness while experiencing back pain,
- If your back pain spreads and you start to experience abdominal pain,
- Your back pain followed a spinal injury, e.g., accident, injury, fall, etc.
- You experience a sudden onset of back pain.
