ASTROMEDICS Health Library · Updated 28 October 2026
General patient education, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan. A qualified clinician should assess your symptoms and advise you.
Common pain and important differences
Many episodes of back pain improve, but certain symptoms require prompt assessment. Knowing the difference between routine follow-up and an emergency is especially important when nerve symptoms appear.
Back pain is common and often improves over a few weeks, but causes vary.
Seek urgent help for back pain with weakness/numbness in both legs, loss of sensation around genitals/anus, or new bladder/bowel changes.
Nerve symptoms that cannot wait
Sudden severe or rapidly worsening pain, fever/shivering or feeling unwell also needs urgent assessment.
Persistent pain that limits daily activities or does not improve should be discussed with a health professional.
Preparing for the next step
Describe any pain spreading into a leg, weakness, recent injury or change in bladder and bowel function. Ask for an activity plan that matches your assessment. Do not assume that every episode needs a scan or that an old scan explains new symptoms.
Questions for your consultation
- Do my symptoms suggest a need for tests or urgent care?
- Which activities are safe while I recover?