When To See A Doctor for Back Pain
During a pandemic you may be tempted to delay seeing a doctor for your ailments. But, sometimes, being evaluated and/or treated is urgent and shouldn’t be delayed. Here are some tips for knowing when to see a doctor for back pain.
Times When You Should See A Doctor For Back Pain
After an Accident or Injury
If you’ve recently had an accident or suffered an injury a back pain could be a sign of an injury to your back. Spinal cord injuries can be serious, even life altering. So, if you haven’t been evaluated by a doctor and are experiencing back pain after an accident, you should go see your doctor immediately.
See Also: What Doctor Should I See for Neck Pain?
When You Also Have These Symptoms
If you have back pain and also have one or more of the following symptoms, something more serious could be going on and you should see a doctor or go to your nearest emergency room:
- chest pain and tingling in your arms
- bladder or bowel problems (ie: incontinence)
If the Pain Isn’t Going Away
Acute Back Pain: If you have no history of back pain and now have had pain for 3 or more days, you should schedule an appointment to see a doctor.
Chronic Back Pain: If you’re someone that often suffers from back pain, you may not need to see a doctor each time it re-occurs. But, if the pain has lasted 6 weeks, it’s probably time to make an appointment with your doctor.
See Also: What Doctor Should I See for Sciatica?
Should You See A Doctor?
If you’re suffering from back pain and aren’t sure whether or not to see a doctor, feel free to give us a call. We have offices in Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, and Plattsburgh. In addition, we offer virtual appointments.
References
