It is common knowledge that a back injury can greatly impact your life if it is serious. However, in the moment a back injury occurs, it is not uncommon for people to shrug it off, or to treat it at home with ice or heat.
If you have injured your back and insisted that it was fine, there are several reasons to get it checked out as soon as possible. Here is why back injuries need to be taken seriously:
Types of Injuries
There are various types of back injuries that can cause various symptoms. An injury to the back could include or cause breaks, features, spinal cord injury, bruising, wounds, strains, and even damage to internal organs.
The most common types of back injuries that cause back pain are muscle strains and bulging or ruptured discs.
It is obvious from this list of injury types that back injuries include some very serious injuries that should be taken seriously and treated as soon as possible. But how do you know if your back injury is serious?
Possible Symptoms of Serious Back Injuries
You may associate back injury with the most common symptoms of back pain, or possibly even stiffness or swelling. If you have back pain, stiffness, or swelling that is prolonged or severe, you should see a medical professional, whether you have had a specific injury like a fall, or if it is just constantly there.
Some other symptoms of back injury that you might not immediately think of or associate with your back injury are shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, blood in urine, spasms in muscles, weakness in extremities, and tingling or numbness in the arms, legs, hands, or feet. Any of these symptoms could indicate a severe back injury, and you should seek medical attention immediately.
Seeking Professional Help for Back Injuries
As you can see, back injuries can lead to such serious consequences as spinal cord damage and damage to internal organs that could cause lasting effects on your everyday life if not treated promptly.
If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention immediately. Doctors can run tests, do diagnostic imaging, provide injury treatment, and possibly refer you for physical therapy or rehabilitation.
Some other indications that you should head to the ER or urgent care besides the symptoms listed above include: back pain that does not lessen by reducing physical activity; after a car accident injury, or fall; and out-of-the-ordinary weight loss.
If you did suffer a back injury from a fall or accident, depending on the circumstances, you might want to seek other professional advice (after you have sought medical attention), such as consulting a personal injury lawyer or a slip and fall lawyer.
Since back injuries can have such dire consequences, it is imperative that they be taken seriously and that medical attention is sought as soon as possible. Immediate medical attention can help to alleviate pain and possibly prevent further injury.
