Most back pain will go away after a few days, but if you've been feeling pain for more than a week, it's time to call a doctor. The doctor will do any necessary tests or tests to help ease the pain before it becomes a bigger problem. As with many health conditions, early prevention and treatment of problems is critical. If you've suffered a serious trauma, such as a fall from a height or a car accident, or if you've suffered relatively minor trauma and are over 50, your doctor will want to take a closer look at your back pain.
Even falling a few steps when you're older can cause a fracture. Back pain, combined with loss of bowel or bladder control, can be a telltale sign of a rare but serious condition called horsetail syndrome, in which the nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord are squeezed and paralyzed. This can occur as a result of a herniated disc, fracture, tumor, spinal stenosis, or trauma to the spine. Symptoms can appear over time and also include numbness and weakness in the legs.
Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. Medical history of cancer, weakened immune system, osteoporosis, or chronic steroid use.
