If you’ve developed back pain, you might feel reassured to know that most cases resolve themselves within a number of weeks. However, some back problems may cause further pain and damage if not attended to by a doctor and, at times, your pain might even be a symptom of a much larger and serious medical issue. So how do you know if your back pain is something minor or something that needs professional attention? Here are 12 signs doctors advise you to look out for:

1.Have you had a recent trauma such as a fall from a height, a motor vehicle accident or similar incident? If so, you might have obtained a fracture or damaged a part of your spine.

2.Are you older than 50? As you age, even mild traumas like slipping down a few steps or falling out of bed can cause injuries or fractures that need to be checked.

3.Do you have a history of osteoporosis? It’s important that all back pains are investigated.

4.Do you have a history of prolonged steroid use? This use might be contributing to issues with your back and needs to be addressed by a physician.

5.Are you older than 70? You’ll be at an increased risk of developing cancer, infections or abdominal problems which may be causing your back pain, too.

6.Is your temperature over 100 F? If so, it could indicate the presence of an infection – one that could be as serious as meningitis. Also, if you have recently battled an infection, it’s a good idea to see your physician to check your back problem isn’t related to the infection.

7.Do you have a prior history of cancer? In this case, it’s important to see your doctor and ensure there are no underlying issues causing your pain.

8.Does your lower back pain feel worse when you are resting? This could be another sign that you have an infection or that the pain has a malignant cause.

9.Are you experiencing unexplained weight loss? Again, your additional back pain may be a sign that there is a larger medical problem at hand.

10.Are you unable to manage your pain using over-the-counter medication? If so, this is a good indication that you should see your physician.

11.Have you lost the use of your bowel or bladder control? This could be a sign of an acute emergency.

12.Are your legs going numb or weak or do you have the inability to walk, lower your foot at the ankle, raise your big toe upward, stand on your toes or walk on your heels? You may have sustained an acute nerve injury or compression. It’s important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.

It is always a good idea to seek medical advice or a professional opinion about what might be causing your back pain, even if you are not displaying any of the signs above.

To prevent future back problems and reduce the risk of future injury, adopt good posture practices such as: using a good posture and back support for your office, car or home chair; strengthening your back muscles through exercise; and learning good posture habits such as lifting weights with bent knees and avoiding slouching.

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