Back Injury and Pain Walk-In Clinic Questions and Answers

Visit our walk-in clinic for your back injury to receive fast and effective treatments or for more information, read our Questions and Answers page. Our clinic is conveniently located at 265 Schuylkill Road Phoenixville, PA 19460. We provide health care and urgent care services to patients from Phoenixville, Spring City, Trooper, Royersford, Limerick, Collegeville, Chester Springs, Oaks, Norristown, and the surrounding communities.

Back pain is a common condition affecting millions of Americans every day. While most instances of back pain are mild and go away within a couple of days or weeks, in more severe cases, it can produce debilitating pain for many months at a time, or even longer. Thankfully, there are many treatments available for treating back pain.

How can you tell if a back injury is serious?

Pain or Swelling - If you have sustained a significant back injury, then you will most likely notice some pain and swelling. However, if you are experiencing more than mild pain or excessive swelling, you need to see your back pain specialist immediately. If you do not have one, we will be happy to accommodate you at AFC Urgent Care. But how do you know if the pain is significant? You might experience:

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

If you allow a significant injury to go untreated for any length of time, then you are only prolonging the healing process. The sooner you see your healthcare professional about it, the earlier the healing can begin.

You Can't Stand or Walk - If you've ever had a back strain or sprain, you will know firsthand that it can make standing and walking difficult. However, you should see your healthcare specialist immediately if you experience:

• Tingling in the arms or legs
• Shooting pain in the arms or legs
• Pain when lifting your arms above your head

These symptoms could also indicate that an injury is impacting the nerves as they exit your vertebral column, which can indicate something more serious going on.

You Can't Move the Joint - If you're experiencing pain or swelling that has made your back unusable, essentially making you progress in rigid movements because you have to maneuver your entire body instead of bending or twisting, then you should see your back care specialist.

Other Warning Signs - If you have got a minor or grade 1 strain or sprain, they are often treated with ice and a bit of rest (not too much!) but if you experience these other symptoms, you may have something else going on:

• Bumps or lumps not related to swelling
• Red streaks across your back
• Pain with walking that is severe

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

Sudden back pain is most commonly associated with an acute injury to the muscles and ligaments of the lower back. Pain from an injury affecting these areas could be sudden and severe. Soon after the injury, bruising and swelling may develop. Pain from an acute injury typically does not last longer than six weeks. Acute injuries include:

• An injury to the ligaments or muscles within the back, like a sprain or a strain.
• A fracture or dislocation of the spine. This injury to the spinal cord has the potential to cause permanent paralysis. It is important to immobilize and transport the injured person correctly to reduce the danger of permanent paralysis.
• A torn or ruptured disc. If the tear is large enough, the jelly-like material inside the disc may leak (herniate) and press against a nerve.
• An injury that causes the compression of nerves within the lower back (cauda equina syndrome)

When should you visit a provider for a back injury?

If you are experiencing severe pain or limited range of motion, or any of the symptoms described above in How do you know if a back injury is serious, then you should visit your local back pain specialist, and if you do not have one, the specialists at AFC Urgent Care in Phoenixville would be happy to accommodate you.

Can I visit an urgent care clinic for a back injury?

Yes, we treat back injuries at our urgent care clinic. We treat a multitude of injuries and conditions affecting the back. Call our clinic today to find out what we can do for you!

I have severe back pain, can I visit an urgent care center for this?

Yes, absolutely! If you are experiencing moderate to severe back pain, especially after an injury, you are encouraged to go to your local walk-in urgent care center. At AFC Urgent Care Phoenixville, we treat a wide range of injuries and conditions affecting the back.

If you or someone you know is experiencing back pain or has recently sustained an injury to the back, come to AFC Urgent Care today! Our kind and compassionate staff have all the tools to help you find relief. Contact our office today to talk with a member of our specialist team. Visit us online or simply give us a call to book an appointment!