Back pain is one of the most common conditions in the world. Most people in their lifetime will experience some form of back pain at least once. But while back pain is highly normal and common, there are times when back pain goes beyond normal.
If your back pain becomes extremely severe, persistent and comes with other side effects, it is likely time to visit the doctor. You can tell when things don’t feel right and are not normal for your body, and you must listen to your body and what it is trying to tell you.
This post will look at the most common signs of seeing a doctor for back pain when it becomes too severe to function normally. We will also take a peek at treatment options, home remedies, causes, prevention, and risk factors as well.
Signs
There are a few signs and symptoms to look out for when severe back pain doesn’t feel “right” or “normal” anymore. While it can vary from person to person, here are some of the top signs you should look out for so you know when it is time to take a trip to the doctor.
- Pain that does not go away
- Shooting pain down the arms or legs
- Tingling, weakness, or numbness down the arms or legs
- Pain at nighttime
- Fever that goes along with your back pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Balance issues and standing up straight
- Issues controlling your bladder and bowels
You may only have one of these symptoms or a combination of these symptoms. It is highly dependent on many factors, which is why it is important to keep a close eye on your back pain.
If you have been experiencing back pain or it seems to get worse after six weeks, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. This could indicate that you have an injury or a more severe underlying cause for your back pain.
Causes
Again, there are many different causes of back pain, and the reasons are truly endless. However, when you are experiencing severe back pain, there are more common causes for this type of pain than mild aches and pains in the back.
Some of the more serious causes for severe back pain include the following:
- Injuries or fractures from falls or other types of trauma
- Kidney problems, such as kidney stones or kidney infections
- Ruptured and bulging disks
- Cancer or infection of the spine
- Bladder infections
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
Of course, just because you have severe back pain, it does not mean that you are 100% suffering from one of the above causes. Rather, they are just things to consider, so you can be aware of all possibilities to keep yourself safe and healthy.
Some less severe causes of back pain include causes like muscle spasms, pinched nerves, and subluxations.
Treatment
For severe back pain, there are a variety of medical and professional treatments to choose from. Some of the most popular options are over the counter pain medications of prescription drugs.
While there is a time and a place for this, depending on the severity and the cause of your back pain, you can opt for other forms of treatment as well.
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- TENS
- Physical therapy
A chiropractor can help with your back pain to ensure your joints and spine are healthy and in proper alignment. Some people can experience back pain because their spine is completely out of alignment, and chiropractic adjustments quickly fix those.
Furthermore, massage therapy is another fantastic option for back pain. Massages are a bit less scary and aggressive than chiropractic adjustments. They are soothing, relaxing, and can help relieve many knots, pain, and tension in the back, causing severe pain. Just as my clinic in Anchorage offers massage therapy, many chiropractic offices across the country will have the same thing as well.
Home Remedies
Suppose you have been able to determine with your doctor or other healthcare professionals that your severe back pain is not being caused by something like an illness, infections, cancers, and other life-threatening issues. In that case, you may choose to opt for some home remedies for back pain as well.
Home remedies can either be done independently or combined with other treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, etc.
Some of the best home remedies and ideas for treating your back pain at home naturally include the following options:
- Exercising and staying active
- Using heat and cold packs
- Stretching on a regular basis
- Applying a natural pain relief cream to the area(s) that are bothering you
- Get enough good sleep at night
- Make sure your posture is correct during the day, especially at work
- Learn to reduce and manage your stress and anxiety levels
Some great ways to reduce stress and anxiety levels at home include yoga, Pilates, meditation, walking, exercise, playing with your cats and dogs, deep breathing, taking a bubble bath or warm shower, listening to music, and keeping a journal to get out your feelings and emotions on the regular.
Prevention
While you cannot fully prevent severe back pain from occurring, especially if it is linked to cancer, diseases, and other more serious issues, there are still ways to reduce the risk of back pain and severe complications.
First, following a healthy diet by eating whole foods and eliminating processed foods and too much sugar helps prevent many health concerns, even those associated with severe back pain. A proper diet can reduce inflammation in the body and make it less likely to have pain in all body areas, including the back.
Keeping up a proper exercise routine will help as well. Regular exercise can help keep you in a healthy weight range, build muscle, reduce stress, anxiety, and even help ease back pain if you already have it. Exercise can consist of walking on the treadmill or outside, hiking, biking, swimming, sports, elliptical, weight training, yoga, Pilates, and so much more.
Risk Factors
As with any medical issue, there are risk factors, and the same goes for severe back pain.
These factors have been linked to a higher risk of developing severe back pain associated with some of the more serious causes:
- Obesity or being overweight
- Smoking
- Genetics and family history of back problems
- Pregnancy
- Having poor physical fitness
- Sitting too much during the day
- Older age
- Medical conditions like arthritis and cancer
Suppose you have any of these risk factors. In that case, particularly if you have more than one, you should make as many lifestyle changes as possible and speak with a doctor about possible ways to help reduce the risk associated with any of the above.
In the end, back pain is completely normal and usually nothing to worry about. However, it is always good to remember that severe back pain can sometimes indicate something more serious.
It is important to stay connected with your body to identify when something doesn’t seem right. With so many symptoms, causes, risk factors, and lifestyle choices that come into play, if you have any concerns about your back pain, take a trip to your doctor as soon as possible.
Written by Dr. Brent Wells
Dr Brent Wells, D.C., is the founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. His practice has treated thousands of patients with different health problems using various services designed to help give you long-lasting relief.
Dr Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr Axe and Lifehack. He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. And he continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.
