When to Call Your Doctor About Back Pain

How to Prevent a Back Injury (and When to See a Doctor)

Many of us have probably heard some metaphor about having a strong back. It turns out human backs are actually pretty fragile, and one wrong twist, lift or movement could lead to an injury.

To avoid the weeks (or longer) of rest and recovery that may result from a back injury, it’s important to take appropriate precautions to keep yourself safe.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Using Your Back

Before doing anything with your back, you should first think of all the ways you can minimize strain. Ask yourself the following questions to help guide you to good back health:

Can I Move This Load in Multiple Trips?

It’s tempting to take that entire load of groceries up to the kitchen in one trip – it’s also a lot more likely to hurt your back. If you need to move a large number of items at once, you should consider dividing it into smaller chunks and tackling that task in several trips. Your back will thank you.

Will Getting a Few Additional People to Share the Load Help?

Whether you’re moving a heavy piece of furniture or a large box, sometimes it pays to have an additional hand (or two) to help lighten the load. Call a friend or family member to help you lift the item and reduce the strain on your back.

Should I Ask Someone to Do It for Me?

For some, especially those who are older or already living with back pain, it’s simply better to ask someone to lift the load for you. If you need something heavy moved and you’re not sure you have the strength to handle it yourself, give a friend or family member a call and ask if they can take care of it.

Red Flags: When to See a Doctor

While many back issues heal with rest, certain symptoms require medical attention.

1. Your Back Pain Is Paired With Weakness Elsewhere

If in addition to your back pain you’ve also noticed weakness in other parts of your body – like trouble lifting your leg – or if you’re experiencing urinary or stool incontinence, it could be a sign of a slipped disc pushing on an important part of your spinal cord. This can be a serious condition and may require surgery, so it’s important to get in touch with your doctor.

2. You’re Already Living With Osteoporosis or Cancer

If you have osteoporosis (or if you believe you might have it) or if you have certain types of cancers, you could be susceptible to specific types of back pain. While usually treatable, the standard at-home treatment options usually recommended might not help here and you’ll need to talk to a provider to build a more appropriate treatment plan.

3. Your Back Pain Isn’t Responding to Over-the-counter Treatment

You’ve taken rest and you’ve tried OTC pain meds, but the pain just won’t subside. Even if you know your back pain isn’t indicative of a more serious condition, no one wants to live in that kind of pain. Your doctor might prescribe stronger pain meds to help you manage the discomfort while your back heals.

Back pain is very common and most of the time it will heal on its own with proper rest and at-home treatment. But if you notice any of the above concerning symptoms, it’s important to reach out to your doctor to get the care you need.