How do you know if back pain is serious?

Written by Bloon Paris

Mise à jour le 04/03/2025

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With 60 to 80% of adults likely to suffer from lower back pain, back pain is a common complaint for many of us. However, your back pain should get your full attention because it can sometimes be a sign of very serious health problems. In this specific case, it is natural to wonder how to know if back pain is serious? In this article, we answer your question by informing you about the symptoms and causes of severe back pain, as well as the precautions to take.

Back pain symptoms you shouldn't ignore

When you have back pain, it is important not to underestimate your symptoms and know which ones may be hiding a serious illness.

Pain under the neck

Pain below the neck or in the upper back can be due to muscle tension, joint problems, and may indicate serious back pain such as a herniated disc, cervical nerve irritation, or spinal stenosis.

If you are suffering from upper back pain, difficulty turning your head combined with weakness and pain in your arms or shoulders you should consult a specialist.

According to a study from the Paris Institute of Back Surgery, patients suffering from neck pain accompanied by neurological symptoms, such as tingling or weakness in the arms, are more likely to have a severe spinal pathology. This study underscores the importance of consulting a specialist promptly to treat symptoms.

Pain accompanied by tingling or numbness in the limbs

Back pain with tingling or numbness in limbs such as arms or legs indicates compression of a nerve or group of nerves.

If you have trouble getting up or drag your feet when walking, and have a feeling of heaviness and loss of control in your legs in addition to your back pain, you may have a bone spur (bony growth around a joint) or stenosis (slow narrowing of the spinal canal).

Pain with bladder disorder

According to a study published by Wellspect, Nerve compression occurs when a nerve is pressed or pinched due to pressure from surrounding bones, tissues, or spinal discs. This can cause muscle weakness, pain, and tingling in the affected area. Nerve compression can signal a herniated disc, spinal fracture, tumors, infections, or spinal stenosis.

If your back pain is accompanied by an inability to control your bladder, such as loss of urinary control, difficulty urinating, and a feeling that your bladder is not completely empty, this is a sign of spinal cord dysfunction. This means that compression of your nerves is impacting the transmission of information between your brain and the organs controlled by your nerves. This results in a temporary loss of bladder control.

Nerve compression occurs when a nerve is pressed or pinched due to pressure from surrounding bones, tissues, or spinal discs. This can cause muscle weakness, pain, and tingling in the affected area. Nerve compression can signal a herniated disc, spinal fracture, tumors, infections, or spinal stenosis.

This requires immediate intervention to avoid serious complications such as paralysis or permanent nerve damage.

Back pain and fever

Generally, a fever can have multiple causes. However, a fever related to back pain may be a sign of something more serious, such as a spinal infection, kidney infection, or an epidural abscess.

An epidural abscess is the presence of pus in the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots. Typical symptoms of this condition include persistent back pain, fever, neck stiffness, and chills.

Possible serious causes of back pain symptoms

Herniated disc

A herniated disc occurs when the disc between your vertebrae shifts from its normal position. This puts pressure on the surrounding nerves. Depending on where the herniated disc is located, the pressure can cause numbness, pain, or tingling in your limbs. A herniated disc can be caused by trauma, sudden movements, or repetitive movements.

Vertebral fracture

A vertebral fracture is a broken or cracked bone in the spine. A vertebral fracture can be caused by a fall, an accident, or contact sports. Symptoms include loss of sensation in the limbs, persistent back pain, or even, in some cases, a visible spinal deformity.

Spinal infection

A spinal infection, or spondylodiscitis, is an infection of the discs, bones, or tissues of your spine. The infection is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or even fungi. Symptoms of a spinal infection include fever, chills, and neck pain. Such an infection requires proper treatment to avoid serious complications such as permanent damage to the nervous system and spine.

Spinal tumor

A spinal tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in or near the spine. This tumor can cause serious neurological disorders, limb weakness, and numbness. This type of tumor originates in the bones or tissues around the spine or nerves.

What to do in case of severe back pain?

Several studies show that strengthening back muscles can relieve and prevent back pain.

For gentle and effective solutions to relieve your back pain, don't hesitate to consult our articles:

In the event of severe back pain, it is important to act as quickly as possible to prevent it from worsening. First, we recommend consulting a specialist to obtain an accurate diagnosis of your condition.

Getting an appointment with a specialist such as a chiropractor, physiatrist, or physiotherapist can take time, so we recommend resting and avoiding any inappropriate activity while waiting for your medical consultation. You can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain or apply ice to reduce inflammation. Some gentle exercises recommended by professionals can also help prevent pain.

Ultimately, to know if your back pain is serious, you just need to listen to your body to detect symptoms that indicate serious back pain, such as fever, pain under your neck, bladder problems, or tingling or numbness in the limbs. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible to prevent your condition from worsening.

FAQ: How do you know if back pain is serious? All your questions answered.

How do you know if back pain is serious?

Determining whether back pain is serious depends on the intensity of the pain and any accompanying symptoms, such as difficulty moving, fever, bladder problems, and numbness or tingling sensations.

What does pain under the neck mean?

Neck pain can be caused by muscle tension, poor posture, or problems like a herniated disc. If it lasts a long time or worsens, talk to a doctor.

When does back pain with tingling or numbness in the limbs become a concern?

If these symptoms do not go away or you have difficulty moving your limbs, this is a cause for concern and may indicate a nerve problem.

What are the potential dangers associated with bladder or bowel problems when experiencing back pain?

Potential dangers associated with bladder or bowel problems in cases of severe back pain include contracting a serious condition such as a herniated disc,

a serious spinal injury, or a tumor. All of these diseases are caused by severe compression of the nerves or spinal cord and can lead to paralysis of the limbs.