When to Call a Doctor for Back Pain

By Jon Stiffler PTA/Sports Center Manager

When Should You Call A Doctor for Back Pain?

Although most back pain is caused by injuries that can heal in several days, there are times when you may need to contact a doctor. Particular injuries, such as injuries to your neck or cervical area, may require emergency treatment and the immediate attention of your doctor. In many cases of cervical disease, non-surgical management is all you may need to overcome injury. However,  your doctor may need to order X-rays to see if your injury will require surgery. Your age, how long you’ve had the disease, previous operations on your neck, and other medical problems you might have are all factors to be considered when you visit with your doctor about back pain.

Low back pain

Low back pain, probably the most common form of back pain, seldom needs the treatment of a doctor. Again, self-treatment, such as rest, hot or cold packs, anti-inflammatory drugs, or Tylenol, may alleviate the problem in a few days. If your symptoms persist after two or three days, you may want to call a physician. Other symptoms you may have that might require immediate medical attention include numbness in you arms or legs, shooting pain that travels down your leg into your foot, the inability to stand erect, or loss of bladder or bowel control. If any of these symptoms occur, you need to see a physician as soon as possible.

Related Articles: Tips on How to Relieve Back Pain and 5 Ways to Treat Your SI Joint Dysfunction 

The JOI Spine Team

The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute has assembled one of the most complete Spine Treatment Centers in the area.  The comprehensive spine team includes the following:

Orthopaedic Spine Surgeons, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist, Robotic Spine Surgeons, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians, Pain Management Specialists and Specially Trained Laser Clinicians.

Our goal is to provide all of these services in one center to make your recovery more convenient.

You can call  904-JOI-2000 or schedule online with a JOI Physician or to schedule physical therapy please call 904-858-7045.

If you want to learn more about Low Back Pain you can go to low back pain

JOI Rehab has a Fast Track Spine Program to get you into Physical Therapy faster.

JOI and JOI Rehab

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.