Back Injury and Pain Walk-In Clinic Q and A

If you have injured your back and are experiencing pain associated with that injury, come to AFC Urgent Care in Memphis to get treatment. Our medical professionals are here to provide you with a higher standard of care. Call our office today or visit our clinic conveniently located at 5475 Popular Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Serving patients from Memphis, TN. Binghampton, Memphis, TN. Bartlett, TN. Frayser, Memphis, TN. Woodstock, TN.

Our backs go through a lot everyday. Whether you're sitting or standing, walking or running, our backs do a lot more than we seem to think. If you have ever injured your back, the affected muscles are noticeably painful when performing different motions, and most of the time these muscles go unnoticed until they are in pain.

How do you know if a back injury is serious?

Back pain and injuries happen to almost everyone at some point during their lives. In fact, roughly 4 out of 5 Americans suffer from back pain at any given time, ranging from minor soreness and aches to severe debilitating pain. However, it can be difficult to know when you have done something to seriously hurt your back. It is possible that you just moved the wrong way and strained a muscle, but it could also indicate something more serious. Here's how you can tell if your back pain is something you, and your doctor, need to be concerned about.

If you have sustained a significant back injury, then some pain and swelling will be noticeable, but if you feel more than just minor pain, or you are experiencing excessive swelling, then it is important to see your doctor right away. Significant or serious pain can be determined by the following:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Pain that keeps you from performing basic tasks
• Pain that severely limits movement

If you leave a serious injury untreated for any length of time, then you are only prolonging the healing process and at higher risk of developing further complications. The sooner you see your doctor about it, the sooner the healing can begin.

Which type of back pain is often caused by a sudden injury?

Back pain is typically classified as acute or chronic, and between the two as subacute. Acute back pain lasts less than a month, chronic pain lasts over three months, and subacute pain lasts anywhere between a month and three months. You should see a physician if the pain has lasted any longer than three days. Physicians will typically locate the issue to 4 specific areas of your back: the neck or cervical region, the upper back or thoracic region, the lower back or lumbar region and the tailbone or sacral and coccyx regions. The doctor will start looking at the pathology, or cause, of the problem after they determine the location and duration of your back pain.

Although there are a multitude of potential causes of back pain, most of them actually have no serious underlying causes. In fact, in over 97% of cases the diagnosis is acute with no specific location. Occasionally there are underlying reasons for the pain; some are less serious like sciatica or bulging discs, while others are potentially life-threatening like cancer or infection and others. In extremely rare cases, some individuals may even have an extra vertebra, which can cause the spine to function abnormally. A few of the most common causes of back pain are the following:

• Injury from heavy lifting, exercise, or a sudden movement
• Muscle spasms
• Trauma from a fall or vehicle accident
• Osteoporosis or small compression fractures
• Arthritis causing the area around the spinal cord to narrow
• Bulging or herniated discs
• Constipation
• Stress & depression

Can I go to a walk-in urgent care for a back injury?

If you can't see your primary physician or just want a quick diagnosis, you can go to a walk-in urgent care clinic for back pain. From there, a physician can tell you if you need medicine, physical therapy, or to simply rest and take it easy for a while. The professionals at AFC Urgent Care can help you diagnose, treat and prevent back pain from occurring in the future.

If you or someone you know has injured their back or is experiencing back pain, come to AFC Urgent Care today! Our kind and caring professionals are experienced in treating back pain, and can help you find the relief you need! To speak with one of our specialists, contact our office today. Visit us online or simply call us to book an appointment.