Go to Question 8**

2. Are you experiencing any type of numbness,  or pain being felt all the way down your leg?

1. When did your back pain begin? Did it begin after falling, an injury or lifting something?

Visit your doctor. Get more rest than usual. Try taking an anti-inflammatory medicine available over the counter at your local pharmacy, which will help to control the inflammation and relieve pain. If you feel that your pain is too severe to endure, such as loss of feeling, movement, bladder or bowel control, Immediately see your doctor or go to a hospital emergency room

3. Are you over 60 years of age or do you have arthritis, and are you having severe pain with any movement?

You may have a FRACTURED SPINE

This would be an EMERGENCY
Do not operate any vehicle, get a friend or relative to drive you, or call an ambulance. Move as little as possible, you could aggravate the problem

It is possible that your back pain is a result of a MUSLE SPASM or PULLED MUSCLE or HERNIATED DISC

6. Do you have a fever?

Apply warmth to the painful area, take an anti-inflammatory and get plenty of rest. If the symptoms do not improve or worsen see your doctor or visit an emergency room immediately.

*5. Is your lower back pain something reoccurring? Many people experience pain on and off, which may of begun in the early teens?

Consider the possibility of SPONDYLOLISTHESIS. This is when one vertebra in the spine slips over another, or a curvature of the spine -SPONDYLOSIS which is also a type of arthritis.

Visit your doctor. Use an anti-inflammatory to relieve pain.

4. Are you experiencing back pain when twisting your body, bending over, and sitting down?

Go to Question 5*

7. Is there any blood in your urine and do you have one-sided back pain along with burning sensation during urination?

This could be serious. It may be a kidney infection such as PYELONEPHRITITIS . Or it could be KIDNEY STONES , which then could lead to a painful kidney infection. Symptoms include: blood and painful urination without a fever.

This is URGENT
 Visit your doctor or an emergency room right away, do not wait it out!

Do you have the symptoms of a virus such as the FLU ?

To reduce fever, generally analgesics such as acetaminophen are used, and over-the-counter cold medicines to reduce symptoms of flu. If your symptoms persist or get worse in a few days, visit your doctor or emergency room.

**8. Are you feeling stiff and sore when you get out of bed? Are other joints stiff, sore, swollen or red

It is possible that you have ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS, which is a type of arthritis affecting the spine. Additionally, there are also other forms of ARTHRITIS that could also be causing back pain.

Take an anti-inflammatory; apply warmth to the affected area. When there is no improvement or the pain worsens, see your doctor.

9. Are you pregnant?

PREGNANCY has many problems of its own. The stretching of ligaments around the uterus and certainly the weight of the baby causes pressure on the lower back.

Apply mild warmth to the back only. Visit your doctor if the pain does not stop or if there is bleeding with the pain.

10. Is the pain somewhere in the lower spine area, and/or is there any pain felt throughout or shooting down your leg?

Visit your doctor, rest sufficiently and try an anti-inflammatory to relieve pain. If you have numbness or loss of movement, bladder or bowel control, see your doctor or emergency immediately!

Consult your doctor. (If pregnant, do not take any medications before talking to your doctor)

ATTENTION !

Do not rely on this advice. This information is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be seen as such.
The information herein should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor before beginning any therapy. Individual needs are varied so ask questions about your personal condition(s) and/or personal circumstances.

Diagnosis

Self-Care

Symptoms