5 Signs Your Back Pain May Be Something Serious

Back pain might seem like no big deal at first. It’s something most people deal with at some point and so they don’t think too much of it. While back pain can be something that’s not a huge concern, it can also point to more serious underlying injuries. Until you see a doctor, you should not rule out that your back pain could be trying to tell you something. And if you’ve recently suffered an injury, you should consider discussing your back pain with Florida injury lawyers.

Common Back Pain Symptoms and Causes

Understanding what can cause back pain can help you evaluate what you’re going through and guide you in when to call your doctor. Here’s a look at common causes and symptoms of back pain:

  • Muscle or ligament strain: overuse of a muscle or spinal ligament can lead to strains. It’s important to listen to your body to avoid overuse or straining. Before participating in an activity, consider your physical condition to evaluate whether or not the activity will be right for you.
  • Bulging or ruptured discs: discs serve an important role in your spine. This soft material cushions the bones of the spine. Your discs can rupture or press on nerves in your back. It’s important to see a doctor regularly for well visit checks because sometimes you can have a bulging or ruptured disc with no signs or symptoms.
  • Arthritis: arthritis can attack the muscles of any part of your body, including your back. You can suffer spinal stenosis as the space around your spinal cord shrinks due to arthritis.
  • Osteoporosis: bones that are deteriorating as a result of osteoporosis can become brittle or even porous. This can lead to fractures in your back.

Trauma to your back is the most common cause of back pain. Car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and assaults can all lead to back pain. If you’ve suffered one of these traumatic events, you must see a doctor immediately.

A doctor will be able to assess the severity of your injury to prevent further damage and pain for you. To protect your ability to seek legal help from Florida injury attorneys, it’s best to not delay visiting a clinic as waiting can make your case more difficult to prove.

Signs That It’s Time to See a Doctor

Knowing when to see a doctor when dealing with pain and discomfort is critical to your long-term health. It’s important to do some research and, when in doubt, always call your doctor for their opinion. They can guide you in good routines for treating your pain and advise you on the right time to visit their practice.

Here’s a look at some serious signs or symptoms that it’s time to see a doctor when you’re suffering back pain.

  1. You’ve recently suffered a traumatic event: if you’ve been in a car accident, suffered a slip and fall incident, an assault, or some other traumatic event shortly before your back pain began, you should certainly see a doctor. These traumatic events tend to mask serious issues because your body pushes adrenaline through your veins to help you deal with the situation. Once that wears off, you might start to feel the pain of the incident but forget to tie that back to a traumatic event.
  2. Back pain is accompanied by numbness or tingling in your limbs: if you feel any pins and needles sensations in your limbs, get to a doctor. You might have nerve damage to your neck or back. Some serious reasons for numbness include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or sciatica. These are issues you should address immediately.
  3. The pain extends down your legs: when back pain extends down your legs, it’s a major indicator that there’s more to your back pain than just some disrupted and inflamed tissue. You should see a doctor as soon as possible.
  4. Fever: a fever can be a sign of infection. While you might at first think you’re suffering from a cold or the flu with muscle aches and a fever, pay close attention to where the aches are. If you only ache in your neck and back, your fever could be a sign of something serious.
  5. Ongoing pain: most back pain resolves within a few days and no longer than two weeks. That’s because back pain that’s related to inflammation and nothing more serious will heal within that time frame. So when back pain continues for more than two weeks, you need to see a medical professional.

Discussing Back Pain with a Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyer

Back pain can be something that comes and goes quickly and doesn’t lead to any serious injuries. However, if your back pain is due to a serious issue and you have recently been injured because of someone else’s negligence, it’s time to talk to a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer.

Serious injuries or ongoing injuries can be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. If you’re unsure whether your injury qualifies as a personal injury case, it’s best to discuss the matter with an attorney.

Goldman & Daszkal offers a free consultation so we can provide advice on whether or not you have a personal injury case. Schedule your consultation now to get your case started.