When to Worry About Your Back Pain: 3 Telltale Signs

We’ve all moved awkwardly or lifted something too heavy and tweaked our backs a little. But how do you know when your back pain is a bigger problem you need to address? Read on to find out.

Back pain is a very common problem. Lower back pain affects 619 million people worldwide, and 39% of American adults report back pain.

But when it’s your back that’s in pain, things seem more serious. Or are they? How do you know when you should start worrying about back pain and go see a doctor?

Based on the extensive experience of Adam Redlich, MD, and our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine in Robbinsville and Neptune, New Jersey, here are three telltale signs.

1. Persistent and severe pain

We’ve all strained our back by moving awkwardly, sleeping in a strange position, or lifting something heavy. When this happens, the pain usually fades away after a few days.

If, however, your pain is sharp, severe, and isn’t helped by rest or over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. Chronic back pain can be caused by problems such as degenerative disc disease (DDD), arthritis in your spine, or herniated discs.

Dr. Redlich can examine your back, order imaging, and create a custom treatment plan based on your specific situation.

2. Leg pain and weakness

When pain starts in your back, but then travels down your legs, this could signal a more serious problem such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Both of these conditions narrow the space around your spinal nerves, which then results in nerve pain and irritation.

A herniated disc usually causes pain in one leg, while with spinal stenosis the pain usually occurs in both legs. This kind of pain often improves in six to eight weeks, but you need to see a doctor to determine exactly what problem you’re having and how to treat it.

3. Loss of bladder or bowel control

If you experience an inability to control your bladder or your bowel, this could be a sign of a serious problem such as spinal nerve compression or a spinal infection such as meningitis.

Nerve compression is often caused by a ruptured disc, and if you don’t get it treated, it can lead to permanent neurological damage. This makes it vitally important to see a specialist as soon as you can if you experience incontinence.

In addition, if you have other nerve pain or unexplained sensory changes along with your back pain, you should see a specialist as well to prevent long-term damage.

If these signs sound familiar to you, it’s probably time to come see us at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine so we can get you on the road to recovery. Call our nearest office today to schedule an appointment, or use our online scheduler anytime.