Many people around the world suffer from back pain. It can be caused by nerve problems, a narrow spine, bulging discs, or strained muscles. 

Understanding back pain symptoms can help you identify when your pain won’t go away and when to seek emergency medical attention.

Strong Pain Instead of Dull Ache

One sign that your back pain won’t go away is if it is a strong pain instead of a dull ache. Severe back pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including spinal fusion, nerve damage, and spinal stenosis. 

Pain Spreading Out

Another sign that your back pain won’t go away is if the pain is spreading out. Pain that radiates down your legs or arms can be a sign of nerve compression or a herniated disc.

Legs Suddenly Weak

Sudden weakness in the legs might mean something serious is happening, like a stroke or a condition called cauda equina syndrome. It could also happen because nerves in your spine are pressed, like sciatica or spinal stenosis.

Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control

Back pain paired with the inability to control the bowels or bladder might be a sign of severe nerve compression or spinal infection, such as discitis or meningitis. 

Numbness or Tingling in the Groin or Buttocks

Numbness or tingling in the groin or buttocks can indicate spinal stenosis or cauda equina syndrome. This condition is characterized by saddle anesthesia, which is a loss of sensation in the area of the body that would touch a saddle. 

Why Isn’t My Back Pain Going Away?

There are several reasons why back pain can persist despite your best efforts to manage it.

Here are some of the most common reasons:

Movement and Posture

Bad sitting or standing habits and not moving enough can hurt your back more. Sitting for a long time or carrying heavy things incorrectly can strain your back muscles and spine. 

Exercise and stretching can strengthen muscles and improve posture, which can help with back pain.

Injury

Injuries such as trauma from a car accident or a herniated disk can cause back pain that persists for a long time. Ligament sprains and muscle strains can also cause back pain. 

Disease

Back pain can be a symptom of an underlying condition such as arthritis, osteoporosis, scoliosis, or ankylosing spondylitis. These diseases can cause chronic back pain that can be difficult to manage. 

What’s the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Back Pain?

When you hurt your back, you might feel sharp and sudden pain. That’s acute back pain, which usually goes away in less than three months. It can be caused by straining your muscles, injuring ligaments, or having a slipped disc.

Chronic back pain occurs when the pain persists for more than three months. It can result from injuries, bad posture, or medical problems like arthritis.

Chronic back pain can affect your life. It makes it hard to do everyday things and can even mess with your mood.

You might rest, use ice or heat, or take pain pills you can buy without a prescription to treat acute back pain. Sometimes, therapy or chiropractic care helps, too.

For chronic back pain, you might need stronger pain meds like opioids or anti-inflammatory drugs. Therapy, chiropractic care, and other treatments can also help. Surgery might be needed in serious cases to fix the problem causing the pain.

How Do You Know If Your Back Pain Is Serious?

Here are some signs that your back pain may be severe:

• Severe pain: If your back hurts a lot and doesn’t get better, it might mean something serious like cancer, an infection in your spine, or a problem with a disc in your spine.
• Emergency symptoms: If your back hurts and you also have a fever, trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or feel weak in your legs, it might be really serious, and you should get medical help fast.
• Weight loss: Losing weight without knowing why and feeling pain in your back could mean something serious like cancer.
• History of cancer: If you have a history of cancer and you’re experiencing back pain, it’s essential to get it checked out by a doctor.
• Spinal infection: If you have a fever and back pain, it could be a sign of a spinal infection.

Will My Back Pain Go Away on Its Own?

Back pain is often acute and goes away within a few days or weeks. However, some people experience chronic back pain that persists for months or even years.

Here are some signs that your back pain may not go away on its own:

• The pain might be strong and last long, especially at night or when lying down.
• The pain can go down one or both legs, especially below your knee.
• You might feel weak, numb, or tingly in one or both legs, along with the pain.
• You might have trouble controlling your pee or poop.
• Sudden weakness in your legs with the pain could mean a stroke.
• If you have any of these signs, see a doctor right away. They might suggest different treatments, such as medicine, physical therapy, or surgery.

You can also try these things at home to help with back pain and stop it from getting worse:

• Keep a healthy weight to put less pressure on your back.
• Do exercises regularly to make the muscles in your back stronger.
• Sit and stand straight to put less strain on your back.
• Get enough sleep so your body can heal itself.

Treating Chronic Back Pain

Here are some of the most common medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes that can help alleviate chronic back pain.

Medications and Therapies

`Certain medicines like painkillers and muscle relaxants can make long-lasting back pain feel better. Shots like epidurals or nerve blocks can also help. Physical therapy is another choice. It involves doing exercises to make the muscles around the spine stronger and more flexible.

Surgery and Procedures

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat chronic back pain. For instance, spinal fusion surgery can help relieve pain caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. However, surgery is usually only considered after other treatments have failed.

Lifestyle and Home Treatment

Lifestyle changes can also help alleviate chronic back pain. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and engaging in regular exercise can all help reduce the risk of back pain. 

Proper bending and stretching techniques can also help prevent injury and reduce pain. Home treatments such as hot or cold compresses, massage, or acupuncture can provide temporary relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the indicators of chronic back pain?

Chronic back pain is a condition that lasts for more than three months. Indicators of chronic back pain include persistent pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the back muscles. Other symptoms include muscle spasms, limited mobility, and difficulty standing or sitting for long periods.

How can severe lower back pain be managed effectively?

Severe lower back pain can be managed effectively by taking pain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and applying heat or ice to the affected area. Physical therapy and chiropractic care can also be beneficial in reducing pain and improving mobility.

What could be causing my sudden and intense back pain?

Various factors, including muscle strains, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica, can cause sudden and intense back pain. In some cases, sudden and intense back pain may indicate a more serious underlying condition, such as a spinal cord injury or infection.

How can I differentiate between muscle and organ-related back pain?

A dull, aching sensation in the back muscles typically characterizes muscle-related back pain. Organ-related back pain, on the other hand, may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, nausea, and vomiting. 

What are the potential long-term outcomes for persistent back pain?

Persistent back pain can lead to a range of long-term outcomes, including decreased mobility, reduced quality of life, and increased risk of depression. 

What steps should I take if I experience severe back pain that impedes mobility?

If you experience severe back pain that impedes mobility, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. In some cases, severe back pain may indicate a serious underlying condition that requires urgent treatment.