When to Seek Medical Care

A doctor should evaluate any back pain in these cases:

• Any elderly person
  
  
• A person with cancer
  
  
• Anyone whose pain is exactly the same at rest as it is during activity
  
  
• A person with unintentional weight loss

Seek medical help at a hospital's emergency department if you have the following symptoms in association with back pain:

• Loss of control of urine or defecation
  
  
• Severe pain, numbness, or weakness
  
  
• High fever