Back Pain: When to Go to Urgent Care and What to Expect
If you’re dealing with an aching back, you’re not alone. About 85% of Americans experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. And back pain isn’t just an inconvenience. Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with upper back pain impacting as many as 1 in 3 people.
But how do you know when to seek medical care for a backache? Many causes of back pain — like muscle strains, poor posture or minor injuries — can be evaluated and treated at your local urgent care center.
Keep reading to learn when urgent care is the right choice for back pain, what types of back issues can be treated at urgent care and when you should go to the ER or schedule specialty care instead.
Where to Go | Go Here If You Have… | Why |
| Urgent Care | - Mild to moderate back pain that began recently - Pain stemming from lifting, strain or poor posture - Muscle tightness or mild sciatica - Pain doesn’t improve with home care | Urgent care centers offer quick, walk-in evaluations, pain relief and basic imaging. |
| Orthopedic Urgent Care | - Persistent or worsening musculoskeletal back pain - Minor disk issues or spinal stenosis - Suspected joint or bone involvement - Sports-related back injuries | These centers have orthopedic specialists for targeted care and advanced imaging. |
| Emergency Room (ER) | - Severe or sudden back pain with numbness, weakness or incontinence - Pain after major trauma, like a fall or car accident - Pain accompanied by fever, abdominal pain or chest pain - Signs of nerve damage or the inability to walk | These may indicate life-threatening or urgent spinal or neurological issues. |
Back Pain Causes That Can Be Treated at Urgent Care
If you’re experiencing non-life-threatening back pain that doesn’t disappear after rest or using over-the-counter pain medications, urgent care centers are equipped to treat you.
Urgent care doctors will listen to your symptoms and perform a physical exam to find the source of your back pain. From there, they can prescribe pain relief like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants. They can also recommend exercises and stretches to loosen up your back and offer suggestions for improving your posture.
If it’s unclear what is causing your back pain, some urgent care centers also offer onsite imaging and X-ray services.
What Types of Back Pain Can Urgent Care Treat?
If your back pain is mild to moderate and not caused by a serious injury, urgent care may be the right place to get treatment.
Some common causes of back pain that can be effectively evaluated and treated at urgent care include the following:
- Mild spinal stenosis
- Minor accidents or slips without major injury
- Minor spinal disk issues
- Muscle strains or sprains
- Poor posture-related discomfort
- Sciatica (mild to moderate symptoms)
- Tension- or stress-related tightness
When to Go to Urgent Care for Back Pain
Any type of back pain, even mild discomfort, can impact your quality of life and ability to get through your day. In non-emergency situations, visiting your nearest urgent care can get you the relief you need.
Go to an urgent care for back pain if you’re experiencing:
- Back pain that hasn’t improved after a few days of rest or over-the-counter medications
- New or unusual back discomfort that isn’t severe, but feels concerning
- Persistent stiffness or soreness that affects daily activities
- Pain that gets worse when you move or radiates down your legs
- Visible signs of a strain, such as swelling or bruising in your lower back
- Mild numbness or tingling in your legs
- Bladder or bowel issues, like incontinence, that may be linked to back pain
- Chronic pain flare-ups while waiting for a specialist
- A need for fast answers through onsite diagnostics, like an X-ray or physical exam
Urgent care providers can provide the right diagnosis and guide you toward the next steps, whether treating the pain at home, finding relief with a prescription or getting a referral to a specialist.
Benefits of Visiting Urgent Care for Back Pain
Visiting your local urgent care for back pain that doesn’t require emergency care is beneficial in many ways, including the following:
- Same-day care without long ER waits
- Onsite imaging, in some locations
- Generally lower cost than hospital or specialist visits
- Quick pain relief through prescription medications, muscle relaxers or physical therapy referrals
When Do I Need an Orthopedic Urgent Care Center?
For most mild to moderate back pain, your local urgent care center is a convenient and effective place to start. These centers are equipped to evaluate common causes of back pain, such as muscle strain, tension or minor injuries.
Urgent care centers can provide the following:
- Physical exams and symptom checks
- Onsite X-rays or imaging (at many locations)
- Prescriptions for pain relief, including NSAIDs and muscle relaxants
- Guidance on stretches, posture and at-home care
However, an orthopedic urgent care center may be a better choice if your back pain is severe, persistent or related to a bone, joint or nerve issue. These clinics provide specialized orthopedic urgent care services and are staffed by orthopedic professionals who focus specifically on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine.
Orthopedic urgent care centers can offer advanced diagnostics and treatment plans for chronic or complex back pain, as well as faster access to orthopedic specialists.
Bottom line: If your pain is mild or recent, start with a regular urgent care center. But if your back pain worsens or interferes with your mobility, an orthopedic urgent care center may offer more targeted care. Visit our AdventHealth Centra Care Orthopedic Urgent Care in Winter Park, Florida.
When Back Pain Requires Emergency Care
Back pain typically doesn’t require a visit to the emergency room. But there are some cases where back pain can be a sign of something more serious, and you should go to your nearest ER right away.
Severe back pain after a major fall or injury could be a sign of a spinal cord injury. Major back pain is also a symptom of serious diseases like osteomyelitis (spinal bone infection), endometriosis, herniated disks, ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis), kidney stones and even cancer.
You should go to the ER if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, including:
- Back pain with chest pain or breathing difficulties
- Extremely sharp back pain that comes out of nowhere
- Fever, along with back pain (possible infection)
- Inability to stand up or walk
- Known history of osteoporosis or cancer with sudden new back pain
- Major abdominal pain
- Severe pain after a trauma (like a car accident)
- Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control
- Weakness or numbness in both legs or the groin
What to Expect During an Urgent Care Visit for Back Pain
Never been to an urgent care center? No problem! Our friendly and professional staff will check you in and have you fill out a form about your current medical history and the reason for your visit.
Once you are called into the exam room, your provider may:
- Ask questions about your symptoms, medical history and lifestyle
- Conduct a physical exam by taking your vitals and checking your range of motion, reflexes and pain points
- Order an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to rule out structural issues
- Prescribe pain relievers, anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants as needed
- Provide recommendations for treating your pain at home, like getting lots of rest, modifying your activities and using heat or ice on your back
- Refer you to a specialist, if needed
Don’t Suffer Through Back Pain Alone
Back pain, even when mild, can disrupt your daily routine, limit your mobility and wear you down. But you don’t have to tough it out or wait for an appointment with your primary care provider to become available.
At our AdventHealth Centra Care urgent care clinics, walk-ins are always welcome, giving you convenient, expert care for a range of back pain issues, from muscle strains to posture-related tension. However, if your pain is severe, worsening or paired with symptoms like numbness, weakness or difficulty walking, don’t wait. Those signs could point to something more serious. Head to your nearest emergency room right away.
The sooner you seek care, the sooner you can get relief and prevent minor pain from turning into a major issue. Take the first step toward feeling better. Find your local AdventHealth Centra Care urgent care center near you or make an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting an Urgent Care for Back Pain
Can urgent care give muscle relaxers for back pain?
Yes, if appropriate. Providers can prescribe medications to reduce muscle spasms and ease discomfort.
Will urgent care do X-rays for back pain?
Yes, many urgent care clinics offer onsite X-rays. Always call ahead to check if imaging services are available at the urgent care you wish to visit.
Can urgent care refer me to a specialist?
Absolutely. When you visit urgent care for back pain, your provider may refer you to orthopedists, neurologists or physical therapists. They may also write prescriptions for pain management or to reduce inflammation.
Is sciatica something urgent care can treat?
Yes, for mild to moderate sciatica symptoms. Urgent care can help with initial diagnosis, pain relief, home care advice and referrals to specialists.
Item 1 of 5
Item 2 of 5
Item 4 of 5
