When to worry about your back pain:
As mentioned above, the vast majority of cases of back pain can be managed conservatively. More than 70% of people who have back pain have sprained a ligament or overexerted their muscles. However, you should know when to consult your doctor regarding your lower back pain. Red flags to look for are:
- Back pain that does not go away: Most cases of muscular or ligament sprains last for 1-2 weeks and then go away. If your back pain lasts for more, then it is likely that the cause needs medical attention.
- Back pain associated with numbness or leg pain: Our thighs and legs are supplied by nerves coming out of our spine. If those nerves are pinched by a bulging disc, they can cause severe pain and/or numbness of our legs and thighs. This condition is called sciatica and needs medical care as soon as possible. Some cases can improve on medical treatment while others need surgical intervention.
- If you have morning stiffness: Most cases of back pain do not involve the joints themselves, and if morning stiffness is present, especially if it lasts for more than 30 minutes, then it is likely that arthritis is present. Ankylosing spondylitis is a common cause, and it must be managed medically.
- If you have urinary symptoms: In males, the prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra -where urine flows out of the urinary bladder-. If the prostate enlarges and regardless of the cause, many people experience symptoms like burning pain while voiding or a sense of incomplete voiding. Prostatic enlargement is usually benign, but if back pain is accompanying the symptoms, then you should visit your doctor for further assessment.
- If your back pain accompanies your menstruation: Back pain that accompanies menstruation can be due to endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Both conditions need gynecological consultation and care.