Signs That Your Back Pain May Be An Emergency
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Back pain is one of the most common things that we see in our Houston TX office. Most of the time, chiropractic care is the best way to get relief from back pain without the need of medication or expensive diagnostic tests.
While most back pain resolves with rest and home care, certain “red flag” symptoms indicate a potentially life-threatening or disabling condition that requires immediate medical evaluation.
Immediate Emergency Indicators (Call 911 or visit ER)
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience back pain accompanied by any of the following:
- Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control: New inability to control or empty your bladder/bowels can signal Cauda Equina Syndrome, a rare but surgical emergency caused by extreme nerve compression.
- Saddle Anesthesia: Numbness, tingling, or a “pins and needles” sensation in the groin, buttocks, or inner thighs—areas that would touch a saddle.
- Sudden Severe Weakness: Difficulty standing, walking, or moving your legs, or a foot that drags (foot drop).
- Abdominal Pain & Pulsing: Severe, “tearing” pain that radiates to the belly or a pulsating sensation near the navel may indicate an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).
- Fever and Chills: Intense back pain paired with a high fever can be a sign of a spinal infection, such as Vertebral Osteomyelitis.
Symptoms Requiring Urgent Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) or other Physician Evaluation
If your pain is not an immediate emergency but involves the following, schedule a priority visit with your doctor of chiropractic (DC) or other physician:
- Pain at Night: Back pain that is significantly worse when lying down or wakes you from sleep, which can sometimes be linked to inflammation, infection, or tumors.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Weight loss that occurs without changes in diet or exercise.
- Radiating Pain: Shooting pain that travels down one or both legs, especially past the knee (sciatica).
- History of Cancer: New back pain in individuals with a current or past cancer diagnosis.
- Traumatic Injury: Pain that begins immediately after a high-impact event like a car accident, a fall from a significant height, or a sports-related collision.
Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston, TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!
