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What Will Urgent Care Do For Lower Back Pain

When To Seek Medical Care For Low Back Pain

Low back pain- The most common causes of lower back pain

If lower back pain does not start to subside within one to two weeks, or if there are troubling symptoms, medical care should be sought. A health professional will first identify a general source of pain and then determine appropriate and effective methods of pain management.

Certain symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. While these conditions are rare, it is important to seek immediate medical attention should the any of the following symptoms accompany back pain:

  • severe abdominal pain

Additionally, if back pain begins after an injury immediate medical care is warranted to check for damage to the spine.

By Emerald Coast Urgent Care

Did you know over half of Americans deal with neck or back pain? Back pain isnt rare. In fact, its one of the most common reasons for disabilities. But how do you know if you have severe back pain that needs treatment, or if it is something minor you can deal with on your own?Many people have slight ongoing back pain that results from bad posture, and that can easily be fixed. But plenty of people have severe pain that needs treatment.If you are wondering, should I go to urgent care for back pain? come to Emerald Coast Urgent Care to get help. In this article, we will discuss four common signs your back pain may need immediate attention.

Where Lower Back Pain Begins

Overview

About the Lumbar SpineLets learn about the structure of the lumbar spine to better understand back pain. Your lumbar spine is your lower back. There are five lumbar vertebrae. Between these vertebrae are discs. They cushion the bones and allow the spine to bend and twist.

Spinal NervesThe spine protects the spinal nerves. These travel through a space called the spinal canal. Branches of spinal nerves exit the spine through spaces on both sides of the spine.

Common Causes of PainIn many cases, back pain is caused by muscle or ligament strains. This can happen if you spend a day doing heavy lifting. But back pain can also be caused by compression of the spinal nerves. Herniated discs or bone growths caused by osteoarthritis can press against the nerves. Fractures of the spine can reduce the amount of space around them. This type of pain may not go away, even after weeks.

SymptomsSymptoms of back pain can vary depending on the cause of your pain and the severity of your injury. You may have trouble bending or twisting your back. You may feel a dull ache or a stabbing pain. The pain may radiate down to one or both legs. It may cause weakness, numbness or tingling.

TreatmentSome types of back pain are treated with over-the-counter medications and ointments. Your healthcare provider may recommend prescription medications, cortisone injections or physical therapy. If these methods are not effective, you may benefit from surgery to correct a problem in your spine.

Medical Treatment Options For Lower Back Pain

What can urgent care do for lower back pain? If pain is severe and is not going away with home remedies, then you must visit a doctor urgently. After a series of tests and diagnosis, the line of treatment for lower back pain is decided by the doctor. In general urgent care for lower back pain falls under the following categories.

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Get Your Endorphins Flowing

Physical health is undeniably tied to emotional health. Great amounts of research have shown the link between endorphin release and positive effects on anxiety, stress, and depression. More recently, endorphins have been shown to aid in fighting chronic pain, including back pain.

Endorphins are hormones your body makes naturally in response to positive stimulus. These hormones are released during physical activity and many activities you enjoy. By staying mobile and activity, your natural endorphins can help fight your back pain. This physical activity can even include low-stress walks or meditation.

Other activities you enjoy can also help release endorphins. Whether its indulging in a favorite hobby, spending time with loved ones, or pulling back from daily stress, any cherished activity can work to release endorphins.

Signs Of Severe Back Pain That Must Be Treated At An Emergency Room

what will urgent care do for back pain

Visit your nearest emergency room if you are experiencing one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

  • You suffered a direct injury to your back or spinal cord.
  • You have severe lower back pain, motor weakness, sensory loss, pain in one or both legs and you are unable to control your bladder or bowels. These could be signs of Cuada Equine Syndrome and could lead to permanent paralysis if left untreated.

If youre experiencing severe back pain, the skilled specialists at Getwell Urgent Care can help you in less time than it typically takes to get treated in an emergency room. Our facility is fully equipped and can relieve your back pain with the medical attention and treatment you need.

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What Urgent Care Cant Do

Note that urgent care is not an emergency room. Theres sometimes confusion between urgent care centers and stand-alone emergency centers. They will refer you to one or get you admitted to a hospital if needed. Some urgent care centers dont have doctors, but they can still prescribe painkillers and other medications.

For lower back pain, its best to find an urgent care center with an actual doctor, if possible.

There are urgent care facilities that are farther away from hospitals, making things more difficult if you need admission. Similarly, urgent care centers are not legally required to treat you if you cannot pay. Before you even see the doctor, some expect you to have money so they know you can afford the care.

Additionally, urgent care facilities are not meant to replace your doctor. They will help out in the short term, but you should go to your doctor if your back pain is persistent.

Some people try to use these facilities for primary care, but it is not what they are meant for. They are meant to take the strain off of emergency rooms by siphoning off people who need immediate medical attention but arent in danger of dying, being permanently disabled, or having other majorly adverse outcomes.

What Are Some Prescription Medications For Lower Back Pain

There is a wide range of prescription medications that can be effective for treating lower back pain. The specific medication that is most appropriate for a particular individual will depend on a number of factors, including the severity and duration of the pain, any underlying medical conditions, and the individual’s response to previous treatments.

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for lower back pain include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , muscle relaxants, and certain types of opioids. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen are typically the first line of treatment for most people, as they are effective for reducing both pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants can help to relieve pain by reducing muscle spasms and tension, while opioids can be useful for more severe pain that is not responding to other treatments.

It is important to note that prescription medications for lower back pain should only be used as directed by a physician, and that they can come with a risk of side effects. Some of the most commonly reported side effects of NSAIDs include gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and stomach ulcers. Muscle relaxants can cause drowsiness and dizziness, while opioids can cause constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

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Leg Weakness And Back Pain

Another serious condition that you should see a back injury doctor for is cauda equina syndrome. One of the main symptoms of this condition is progressive leg weakness.

What happens when you have this condition is that there is a severe compression of the nerve sac in your lumbar spine.

There are a few ways you could get cauda equina syndrome.

You could have a previously undiagnosed spinal condition. An infection could also be the culprit. And, as usual, you could have injured your spine somehow.

Treatment for cauda equina syndrome involves immediately surgical intervention. Doctors will do what they can to decompress the pressure on your lumbar nerve sac. Get diagnosed quickly at an urgent care clinic to see if thats what you need.

Change The Way You Sleep

Chronic Low Back Pain : Understanding lower back structures and treatment approaches

Your sleeping position can put a lot of pressure on your spine, which leads to unwanted back pain. If you are a back sleeper, try sleeping with a pillow under your knees to relieve the pressure on your back as your sleep. The best sleeping position for lower back pain, however, is the fetal position. Sleeping on your side with your knees drawn up close to your chest and placing a pillow or two between your legs can help reduce stress on your lower back. Sleeping on a too soft mattress can also cause lower back pain. A firmer mattress is best.

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Should I Just Visit Urgent Care Instead

Visiting an urgent care center will not afford you the anywhere near the treatment or level of relief that treating with a chiropractor regularly will. The chiropractor is a trained professional with the ability to examine, diagnose and treat pain and injuries to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. If you visit an urgent care center, it is more likely they will offer you ibuprofen or muscle relaxers.

Taking medication is not the answer to cervical and lumbar spine pain. Only through a course of consistent chiropractic care can and will your neck and back problems become resolved.

Chiropractors are trained to offer comprehensive rehabilitation to individuals and do advise them as to the proper methods of lifting, bending and even standing. A skilled chiropractor can look at an individual and determine by the way they are standing and exactly what section of the spine is injured. In many cases, there is a build up of pressure in the cervical and lumbar spine that needs to be relieved. Urgent care medication that is prescribed will do nothing to relieve this pain-it will only mask it. Only through chiropractic manipulation can and will this pain and discomfort be properly and effectively treated.

What Are The Symptoms Of Back Pain That Would Warrant A Trip To Urgent Care

There are a few symptoms of back pain that would warrant a trip to urgent care. If the pain is severe and/or accompanied by radiating pain down the legs, numbness or weakness in the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, or a history of cancer, then it is best to seek medical attention right away. Sometimes, back pain can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a spinal cord injury, so it is always best to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a medical professional.

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How Can You Care For Yourself At Home

  • Sit or lie in positions that are most comfortable and that reduce your pain. Try one of these positions when you lie down:
  • Lie on your back with your knees bent and supported by pillows.
  • Lie on the floor with your legs on the seat of a sofa or chair.
  • Lie on your side with your knees and hips bent and a pillow between your legs.
  • Lie on your stomach if it does not make pain worse.
  • Do not sit up in bed, and avoid soft couches and twisted positions. Bed rest can help relieve pain at first, but it delays healing. Avoid bed rest after the first day.
  • Change positions every 30 minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, take breaks from sitting. Get up and walk around, or lie flat.
  • Try using a heating pad on a low or medium setting, for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Try a warm shower in place of one session with the heating pad. You can also buy single-use heat wraps that last up to 8 hours. You can also try ice or cold packs on your back for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
  • Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • What Are Some Common Causes Of Lower Back Pain

    Pin on pain back of head

    Lower back pain is a very common problem that affects millions of people at some point in their lives. There are many different causes of lower back pain, but some of the most common include:- Muscle imbalances and tightness: Poor posture, sitting for long periods of time, and repetitive motions can lead to muscle imbalances and tightness in the lower back, which can lead to pain.- Degenerative disk disease: This is a condition where the disks that cushion the spine begin to deteriorate, which can lead to pain.- Herniated disk: A herniated disk occurs when the outer layer of a disk ruptures, causing the inner layer to bulge out. This can put pressure on the nerves and lead to pain.- Spinal stenosis: This is a condition where the spinal canal narrows, which can put pressure on the nerves and lead to pain.- Osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative joint disease that can cause pain in the lower back.There are many other potential causes of lower back pain, but these are some of the most common. If you are experiencing lower back pain, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any serious conditions and to develop a treatment plan.

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    Should I Go To Emerald Coast Urgent Care For Back Pain Dont Wait Go Now

    You dont want to mess around with back pain. If you are debating, Should I go to urgent care for back pain, then chances are you should. You know how bad your pain is, and putting off seeing a doctor will only make it worse.It is important to go to urgent care as soon as possible. Here at Emerald Coast Urgent Care, we help people with back pain all the time. Use our contact page to ask us any questions, or walk in today. No appointments necessary!

    Can I Go To A Walk

    So long as the injury and your pain are non-life-threatening and minor, you can and should go to a walk-in clinic like AFC Urgent Care Santee. A clinic like ours can easily handle lower back pain and other kinds of minor back pain, as well as common injuries like strains, and if we need to refer you to a specialist for any reason, we can. Also, with urgent care, an appointment is never necessary, so we can see you right away today if you need us!

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    Back Pain: When Should You Go To Urgent Care

    Dr. Eric B. Laxer

    The pain from many back injuries can be managed independently at home with modified activities and over-the-counter medications. There are, however, some symptoms and scenarios that suggest your pain should be addressed right away.

    Dr. Eric Laxer of OrthoCarolinas Spine Center specializes in seeing patients with spine ailments. He recommends seeing a back specialist immediately if you are experiencing symptoms that go down your legs like pain, numbness or tingling.

    Also, dont hesitate to call someone immediately if youre experiencing a change in bladder or bowel function like loss of control or numbness.

    Need care now? OrthoCarolina offers multiple orthopedic urgent care locations with same-day care available on weekdays, weeknights and weekends. No referral needed. Hours vary by location.

    Have back pain that doesnt require an urgent care visit?Read Dr. Laxers recommendations for treating pain at home. If your back pain doesnt improve in a few days, schedule an appointment with a spine specialist at an office location near you.

    What Is The Best Way To Treat Lower Back Pain

    Quick Lower Back Pain Relief With 3 Easy Steps

    There is a lot of debate about the best way to treat lower back pain. Some people believe that the best way to treat lower back pain is with medication, while others believe that physical therapy is the best option. There is no right or wrong answer, as the best way to treat lower back pain depends on the individual situation.

    If you are typically healthy and have lower back pain that is not severe, over-the-counter pain relievers may be all you need. If your pain is more severe, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medications. In some cases, physical therapy may be recommended. If your pain is due to a specific injury, your doctor may recommend surgery.

    There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how to treat lower back pain. The best way to treat your lower back pain will depend on the cause of your pain and your own personal preferences. Talk to your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your specific situation.

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    Other Reasons To Get Urgent Care For Back Pain

    There are many common, everyday causes of back pain, like herniated discs, that you can get checked out at an urgent care clinic.

    You can go to a walk-in clinic for back pain if you cant see your primary physician or just want a quick diagnosis. From there, a back injury doctor can tell you if you need medicines, physical therapy, or just to take it easy for a while.

    Be aware of what costs are associated with visiting an urgent care clinic. Youll find seeking urgent care for back pain can be affordable.

    No matter what, please see a doctor about your severe symptoms. Come visit us at Coastal Urgent Care and well take care of you!

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