Seeing a health care provider
Many people who develop mild low back discomfort may not need to see a health care provider right away. Often, within a few days, the symptoms go away without any treatment.
A visit to your health care provider is a good idea if:
If you also have problems controlling your bowel or bladder, if you feel numb in the groin or rectal area, or if there is extreme leg weakness, call your health care provider right away.Your health care provider will check to see if you have a medical illness causing your back problem (chances are you will not). Your health care provider can also help you get some relief from your symptoms.
Your health care provider will:
Your health care provider will want to know about your back problem. Here are some examples of the kinds of questions he or she may ask you. You can write down the answers in the space below each question:
When did your back symptoms start?
Which of your daily activities are you not able to do because of your back symptoms?
Is there anything you do that makes the symptoms better or worse?
Have you noticed any problem with your legs?
Around the time your symptoms began, did you have a fever or symptoms of pain or burning when urinating?
Talking about your medical history
Be sure to tell your health care provider about your general health and about illnesses you have had in the past. Here are some questions your health care provider may ask you about your medical history. You can write your answers in the space below each question:
Have you had a problem with your back in the past? If so, when?
What medical illnesses have you had (for example, cancer, arthritis, or diseases of the immune system)?
Which medicines do you take regularly?
Have you ever used intravenous (IV) drugs?
Have you recently lost weight without trying?
You should also tell your health care provider about anything you may be doing for your symptoms: medicine you are taking, creams or ointments you are using, and other home remedies.
Having a physical exam
Your health care provider will examine your back. Even after a careful physical examination, it may not be possible for your health care provider to tell you the exact cause of your low back problem. But you most likely will find out that your symptoms are not being caused by a dangerous medical condition. Very few people (about 1 in 200) have low back symptoms caused by such conditions. You probably won't need special tests (page 11) if you have had low back symptoms for only a few weeks.
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