This is URGENT
Visit your doctor or an emergency room right away, do not wait it out!
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Self-Care
2. Does your body
have an elevated temperature?
1. Did your back pain start after, lifting or pulling a heavy object, did you have an accident?
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
Go to Question 5A
3. Do you have arthritis and experience severe back pain while moving?
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
Apply warmth to the painful area and get plenty of rest.
Start
YES
NO
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
5A. 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 SPONDYLOSIS - which is also a type of arthritis.
Visit your doctor.
4. Are you experiencing back pain when twisting your body, bending over, and sitting down?
If the symptoms do not improve or worsen see your doctor or visit an emergency room immediately.
It is possible that your back pain is a result of a SEVERE MUSCLE SPASM or PULLED MUSCLE or HERNIATED DISC
YES
NO
NO
Go to Question 8A
6. Do you have temperature?
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
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.
NO
YES
NO
YES
8A. 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
When there is no improvement or the pain worsens, see your doctor.
9. Are you expecting a baby?
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?
Consider a HERNIATED DISC or SPINAL STENOSIS
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!
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
Consult your doctor. (If pregnant, do not take any medications before talking to your doctor)
ATTENTION !
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.
NO
Self diagnosis for back pain and lower back pain