We’re Here to Help
If you're experiencing back pain, your primary care provider is the best place to start. No primary care provider? No problem. Urgent care is a convenient option Or, Riverside’s Access Clinic offer s same-day and next-business-day appointments to get you the care you need—fast.
Primary care, urgent care and access clinic providers can all conduct an exam, talk with you about your symptoms, order tests, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatments like physical therapy and medications. If further evaluation or care is needed, you may be referred to Riverside Hampton Roads Neurosurgical and Spine Specialists.
Some severe conditions require immediate care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms.
1. Any suspected spinal cord injury
2. Back pain with unexplained weight loss
3. Intense back pain with any of the following:
- Inability to stand or walk
- Inability to elevate foot off the ground
- New onset loss of bladder and bowel control
- Numbness in the pelvis, groin, thighs or buttocks
- Sudden numbness in one or both legs
- High fever (over 101.0 F)
- Intense pain not controlled by over-the-counter medications
While back pain can be debilitating, it is rarely managed with opioid medications such as morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl or codeine. Patients should not expect to receive a prescription for opioid pain medications as a first-line treatment for acute or chronic back pain at a physician visit or in the emergency department.