When do I need to go to my doctor for back and neck pain?

Most episodes of back and neck pain last a few days, and have greatly resolved within a few weeks. There are, however, a few warning signs that may indicate a problem that needs immediate evaluation.

• Your back and/or neck pain lasts beyond several days

• Your back and/or neck pain keeps you from sleeping or awakens you at night

• You have difficulty controlling your bowels or bladder

• You have fever, chills, sweats, unexplained weight loss or other signs of infection

• You have numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms and/or legs

• You have shooting pains, burning sensations, or throbbing in your arms and/or legs

• You have difficulty holding and/or grasping objects with your hand(s) or your coordination skills suddenly decline

• Your back and/or neck pain is completely unresponsive to over-the-counter medications