Summarize the following:
In most cases, your back pain will go away with home treatment and self-care. However, this isn’t always the case, and you may need additional treatment. Talk to your doctor to find out what type of treatment you need. Back pain typically causes the following symptoms:  Muscle aches. Dull, shooting, or stabbing pain. Back pain that gets worse when you bend, lift, stand, or walk. Back pain that feels better when you lie down. Try not to worry, but these symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition. Your doctor can figure out what’s causing your symptoms and can recommend the best treatments for you. See your doctor immediately to get the treatment you need. Tell your doctor how long you’ve been experiencing these symptoms. While you likely don’t need to worry, back pain can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. If this is the case, you may need additional treatment. Visit your doctor or go to an emergency room if you have the following symptoms:  Bowel or bladder problems—especially if you can’t control urination. Fever. Back injury from a fall or accident. If you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, are older than 50, or have a bone or joint disorder, the back pain is more likely to get out of control if you don’t get a thorough exam. Additionally, if you have a family history of cancer, back pain may be an early sign of spinal, colon, or ovarian cancer. You’re probably fine, but it’s a good idea to get screened just to be safe. It’s rare for back pain to be a sign of cancer, but it’s worth checking out if the back pain came out of nowhere and wasn’t triggered by physical activity. Your doctor will review your symptoms and do a physical exam. Then, they may order some simple diagnostic tests. Most of these tests will be non-invasive and painless, but you may experience some discomfort. After the tests, talk to your doctor about your diagnosis.  For instance, your doctor will probably do an imaging test. You may need to complete an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound. In some cases, your doctor may inject you with a contrast dye so they can look for back problems, like a herniated disc, fracture, or spondylolisthesis. Your doctor can tell you about all of your treatment options. For minor back pain, exercise and over-the-counter pain relievers may be enough to help your back pain. However, they may prescribe additional medication or recommend physical therapy. For severe cases, your doctor may recommend you get surgery, but only as a last resort. Try not to worry because you have a lot of treatment options. Your doctor can help you figure out what’s best for you.
See your doctor if your back pain lasts longer than 2 weeks. Visit your doctor if your pain affects your legs or you feel weak. Get immediate care if you develop severe symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you have a high risk for complications. Let your doctor examine you to diagnose the cause of your pain. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options for severe back pain.