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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSymptoms of back pain may include:
- Muscle ache
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Pain that radiates down your leg
- Limited flexibility or range of motion of your back
- Inability to stand straight
Back pain that lasts from a few days to a few weeks is considered acute. Pain that lasts for three months or longer is considered chronic.
When to see a doctor
Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care. Although the pain may take several weeks to disappear completely, you should notice some improvement within the first 72 hours of self-care. If not, see your doctor.
In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Contact a doctor if your back pain:
- Is constant or intense, especially at night or when you lie down
- Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below your knee
- Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
- Causes new bowel or bladder problems
- Is associated with pain or throbbing (pulsation) in your abdomen, or fever
- Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
- Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
Also, see your doctor if you start having back pain for the first time after age 50, or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.
- Devereaux M. Low back pain. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93:477.
- Wheeler SG, et al. Approach to the diagnosis and evaluation of low back pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
- Kohatsu W. Low back pain. In: Rakel RE. Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/175588812-4/930351402/1494/110.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50067-3_3269. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
- Knight CL, et al. Treatment of acute low back pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
- Last A, et al. Chronic low back pain: Evaluation and management. American Family Physician. 2009;79:1067.
- Chou R. Subacute and chronic low back pain: Pharmacologic and noninterventional treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
- Yoga for health: An introduction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/yoga/introduction.htm. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
- Low back pain fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm#119483102. Accessed Dec. 17, 2009.
- Laskowski ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 26, 2009.
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