When to Visit Urgent Care for Persistent Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to see the doctor. There are many kinds of pain. For example, it can be a dull ache or a sudden, sharp pain. It can be localized to a single area, or it may travel, like shooting from the back down into the leg.

The pain may appear suddenly. That often happens after a car accident, a fall, or while lifting something too heavy. 

Or it may develop slowly over time, such as age-related degeneration of the spine. Arthritis and other inflammatory disorders can also affect the back, leading to pain.

At Mercy Medical Urgent Care, Dr. Bilal Khoder and our staff diagnose and treat many cases of back pain at our Lake City, Florida, office. 

Since back pain is so common, it may be difficult to tell if you need medical attention or not. That’s why we’re discussing the topic in this month’s blog, so you’ll have a better idea of when you should come in to see us.

The back at a glance

Your back contains many structures that work together to support your body. Problems with any part or parts can lead to back pain.

Running from the base of your skull to your tailbone is your spine. The spine is divided into four separate regions:

1. Cervical spine (C-spine): the neck region
2. Thoracic spine (T-spine): the mid-back
3. Lumbar spine: lower back
4. Sacrum and coccyx: tailbone

In all of these regions, you find:

Vertebrae

The spine contains 33 interlocking bones, stacked one on top of the other. They provide stability for your back and protect the spinal cord.

Intervertebral discs

In between the vertebrae are cushiony discs. They allow the spine to bend, flex, and twist, and they absorb the shock from movement. 

If they become damaged or herniated, the vertebrae can rub against each other, leading to pain. In addition, their inner material can spill out, putting pressure on delicate nerves.

Spinal cord

The spinal cord runs from the brain down the back. The nerves are very sensitive, and if they’re pressed upon in any way, they can become painful.

Sciatica is a good example. The pain runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down the outside of the leg. It can be accompanied by numbness and weakness along the nerve’s path.

Ligaments

These short bands of tough, flexible tissue attach to the vertebrae and hold them in place. Ligament sprains, when you “wrench” your back, are a source of back pain.

Tendons

These are thick cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone.

Muscles

Muscles are bundles of fibers that support both your spine and your upper body and help you move. They can cause pain when you overuse them or use them in the wrong way.

When to visit urgent care for persistent back pain

Most back pain, such as minor sprains and strains, improves over time with at-home treatment and self-care, usually within a few weeks. However, you should come into urgent care if your back pain:

• Lasts longer than a few weeks
• Is severe
• Doesn't improve with rest
• Radiates down one or both legs, especially if it goes below the knee
• Causes weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs
• Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss

Sometimes, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. While these situations are rare, seek immediate care for back pain that causes bowel or bladder problems, is accompanied by a fever, or follows a fall or other injury.

If you have back pain, Mercy Medical Urgent Care can help. We’re open seven days a week, and you can walk in or give us a call at 386-758-2944 to schedule.