Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives. The most common cause of this is a muscle strain, but it can also be a sign of a serious problem. In many cases, the best course of action for back pain is to rest and take over-the-counter medication. However, there are four signs that you should go to an urgent care near you right now!
How to tell if your back pain is something serious
You’ve been feeling a little sore, but you’re not sure if it’s serious or just muscle strain. This post will cover symptoms and what to do about them so that you can get back to living your life pain-free.
The first thing to consider is what type of back pain you’re experiencing. Three examples of back pain you may experience include: muscle strain, spinal cord issues, and broken bones (spinal fractures). Muscle strains tend to hurt when you touch the muscle or move in certain ways.
Spinal cord issues can present pain that radiates into your legs. This can indicate sciatica which means there’s an issue with one of the nerves in your lower extremities. Some people experience numbness or tingling in their lower body too.
Signs that you should go to urgent care for your back pain
Are you in constant pain? Are you feeling numbness or tingling sensations, or does your back pain radiate to the outside of your hip area and down one leg? These may be signs that you are experiencing a serious medical condition. It’s important to know the difference between chronic low back pain and sciatica. Sciatica is caused by compression on a nerve root in your spine which can lead to severe pain, weakness, and loss of sensation in the lower limbs. Schedule an appointment with us today for a consultation if you are unsure if the symptoms you are experiencing are merely muscle soreness or something more serious.
These signals are typically the most common indicators that you need to get checked out:
- Numbness in your lower body (including feet and toes)
- Tingling sensations or pain that travels down one leg when you stand up from sitting. This is called paresthesia.
- Severe back pain with no relief during rest periods or sleep. It may be difficult to sit still even if it provides some comfort.
- The feeling of cramping muscle spasms in the buttocks and leg area while trying to sleep. This can happen because muscles are compensating for being kept constantly contracted due to an injury or chronic condition like sciatica!
Visit any of our Arizona Urgent Care Locations, or your primary physician for a consult to rule out more serious medical conditions:
What you can do in the meantime before going to urgent care
It is important to know that the first thing you should do is avoid sitting or standing for too long. A few other things you can try are taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories for the pain and using ice packs or heat on the sore area if needed. These remedies will help with any inflammation in your muscles or joints which could be causing your discomfort. Of course one of the best ways to combat back pack is to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. Continually stay proactive about your health. Get routine physicals, stay active and eat healthy. Be sure to check out our recent blog post: Top 3 ways be proactive about your health and wellness.
If you have any questions about back pain or symptoms, feel free to reach out to our Phoenix Urgent Care Team! Call 480.660.6052
Have peace of mind and relief.
The back is a complicated part of the body, so it’s no wonder that many people are unsure about whether or not they should visit urgent care for their back pain. If you have any of these four signs, we recommend any of our Arizona Urgent Care locations as soon as possible! It’s fast, simple, and friendly, so you can get back to living your life pain-free.
