Back pain is a common complaint but in most people back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care. For complete relief from pain it may take several weeks but some improvement should occur within the first 72 hours of self-care.
If you are experiencing pain in the back that doesn’t go away, consult a doctor. Below are the times when you must call a doctor for back pain.
- Pain is constant or intense, specifically at night or when you’re lying down.
- Pain spreads down to your legs (one or both) especially if the pain extends below the knee.
- Pain is associated with weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs.
- Pain is severe and does not improve with rest.
- You have new bowel or bladder problems.
- Pain is associated with throbbing (pulsation) in the abdomen and/or fever.
- Pain started after a fall, blow to the back or other injury.
- Pain is associated with unexplained weight loss.
- You are more than 50 years when you have back pain for the first time.
- If you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse and are experiencing pain in the back.
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Treatment Options
In most of the back pain cases, a few weeks of home treatment and careful attention provides relief. You may be advised over-the-counter pain relievers which will improve your pain. Your doctor may suggest stronger medications or other therapies if self-care isn’t working, nor over-the-counter pain relievers.
If your pain radiates down your leg from back, your doctor may inject anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief. A few will need surgery for back pain, especially when unrelenting pain is associated with radiating leg pain or progressive muscle weakness causes nerve compression. Structural anatomical problems also need surgery to get relief from back pain.
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