Six signs of when back pain might be serious

when is back pain serious

A little back pain throughout life usually is not something to worry about. You might have a sore back after a long day of work or sitting at a desk for a while. However, when your back has more intense pain than usual or the pain will not go away, you might have a serious condition that requires professional attention. 

We want to note that by serious, we do not mean life-threatening. Rarely is back pain the sign of a life-threatening condition. The only times you should need emergency medical assistance for back pain is when it occurs with:

  • A long-running fever
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • A fall or a direct impact

Six signs your back pain is serious and needs treatment

You may need to visit a physical therapist for treatment if you observe any of these six signs in your back:

  1. Your back muscles constantly ache and feel tight.
  2. You have a burning, stabbing pain.
  3. Your pain radiates into your legs.
  4. Your pain increases when bending and twisting or when lifting heavy objects.
  5. You feel weakness, numbness and tingling in your arms, neck or legs.
  6. You cannot rest comfortably without experiencing ongoing pain.

What might be the cause when back pain is serious?

Several conditions can contribute to back pain that feels intense or lasts longer than usual, including:

  • Strains — A strain is a pulled or torn muscle or tendon. A strain anywhere in your back or core muscles can cause back pain. Back and core strains also increase stress on the spine, which can contribute to other back issues.
  • Herniated discs — A disc is considered to be herniated when its outer shell bursts and its inner fluid spreads out of the shell. This fluid puts pressure on the nerves in your spine that is painful and can cause numbness, weakness and tingling.
  • Sciatica — Sciatica is the inflammation of your sciatic nerve, which is the long nerve running from your lower back into each of your legs. Pain from this condition is usually felt in the back of one of your legs as well as your lower back.
  • Degenerative disc disease (DDD) — DDD is the natural wear and tear on the discs in your spine as you age. DDD can cause pain and stiffness that makes it difficult to bend or twist your back.
  • Arthritis — Arthritis can cause the cartilage in your spine to wear down, which makes it painful to bend or twist your back.

Visit Border Therapy Services today for back pain treatment

Nobody should have to live with intense or ongoing back pain. Our physical therapists want to help you reduce and prevent back pain, so you can get back to enjoying your life. Contact our team today for more information about back pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment