Neurosurgeon explains: When is low back pain SERIOUS... and you need to take action.

Low back pain is serious if the underlying cause threatens your life or could leave you with permanent nerve damage unless you act now; fortunately, that is almost never the case. But almost is not good enough when we are talking about life or limb.

As it turns out, low back pain is SERIOUS if it is caused by 4 underlying conditions. The 4 causes of SERIOUS low back pain are:
Instability. The structure of the spine is damaged in a way that it can no longer protect the underlying neural elements. Instability is usually due to an accident.
Cancers. A tumor can start or spread to the spine. Thankfully cancer of the spine is extremely rare and can usually be detected with a simple x-ray.
Infection. Bacterial, fungal, or even mycoplasma infection of discs can spread to the bones and cause permanent nerve damage. Your spine is normally resistant to infection. Most people with disc infections are already unhealthy due to drug addiction or even immunosuppression.
Giant herniated discs. Nerve root damage can happen due to herniated discs. If enough nerve roots are compressed, you get cauda equina syndrome which is:
Urinary retention
Numbness everywhere a saddle touches your private parts
Sciatica in both legs
Numbness and weakness in the legs

In this video we explain how to know when SEVERE low back pain is an urgent medical emergency and what to do if you have SEVERE low back pain.

To read more check our blog on the topic here:

Pay special attention to any red flags.

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DISCLAIMER: This show and its content (including any information provided by users) is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any professional medical, financial, legal, or other advice. We make no representations or warranties and expressly disclaim any and all liability concerning any treatment or action by any person following the information offered or provided within or through the show. If you have specific concerns or a situation in which you require professional or medical advice, you should consult with your doctor.

[Keepgoing]

For everyone in constant pain I wish you nothing but the best. It feels like hell

[granolabean]

My mother died of cancer 8 years after first complaint of something wrong. It took years, multiple doctors, hundreds yes hundreds of visits till 6 months before death they found the problem. By then the cancer had spread from her breast to spine to brain. First diagnosed with depression and anxiety and told its all in her head. She couldn't stand, was passing out, couldn't get disability, no bowl control and was told by multiple docs to get a job to help her depression cause that is all it was they said. The end of her life was hell and the doctors did nothing. Died in 2019 6 months after diagnosis while crying for help for 8 years. Modern medicine is a lie run by corporate pigs. Doctors are drug dealers paid by big business to keep us drugged up. 4 American nurses, 1 Canadian nurse and 1 doctor in Frankfurt Germany are family and all complain of the corporate and or government machine so it's multinational.

[harrietabbott]

My back pain IS SERIOUS!! I suffer from stenosis, and the suffering is immeasurable. Don’t tell ME my pain is NOT serious, while refusing any pain medicine. It destroys my quality of life, robs my sleep, and has caused serious depression. How much more serious can it get???

[ombasnet]

As someone recently mentioned it to me that some back pains are a lot more than the labor pain and I feel like it is true. I had a L5-S1 fusion surgery on May 22nd, 2024 which is almost a month. The 1st two weeks after the surgery felt so good that I though magic is going to happen soon. However, after it hit 3 weeks + I experienced exact same level of pain (7.5 or 8.5 out of 10) . It was quite excruciating. My Neurosurgeon nurse said "everyone heals differently so lets wait another 2 weeks before we can reevaluate you". Home Health Physical Therapy is here twice a week and I usually do the PTs if my pain level is not excessive. I walk and go to my garden in the back and water them sometimes and spend some time with those plants. I love seeing them grow and about to give us some vegetables. I really hope and feel optimistic that my pain will be gone in the next few weeks. My PCP told me that the 1st 3 months after the surgery is kind of make or break situation. So I need to continue to work on my PTs to strengthen my cores.

Based on my experience, there is a lot more works to be done after the back surgery, specifically fusion surgery in my case in order for the surgery to give better result. It is not like other body parts that once operated and wound/incision heals patients start to feel better. It is not as simple as we think. All those muscles in protective mode, temporarily damaged nerves and other internal structures with in back needs to comeback to life and then we start feeling better. All the muscles needs to come back strong and be loosened to start feeling better, pain wise. Tough challenge ahead and need a lot of mental support and obviously one one will do this for you. You are the one who needs to love your body and keep motivating yourself and maintain good mental health during this journey. Good luck to everyone who is suffering from back pain. 💌

[trud]

I have had back pain since aug 2023 im 14 and told my mom this may. She didnt care and its really bad. I do swimming, ariels, gymnastics, comp ariels, and flute. I have given up all together.

[keshacovington]

My Back Pain causes dizziness. I’m relieved to know where the dizziness comes from. I’m dealing with back pains that I believe will be temporary. This video helped tremendously by equipping me with information that I can present to a GOOD and HONEST Doctor🌻

[fa]

I had severe back pain few months ago. I was unable to walk due to pain. went to multiple doctors but all of them told me it's a disc problem and it's no big deal and gave me pain killers. They made me believe it's not serious enough so I just tolerated the pain for 4 weeks and then got a little better on its own. I still have pain but not severe. Thank you for these info I will definitely not tolerate severe pain next time!

[patrickbrown]

My mom dated an O.G nick named, Gator. The older gents who stayed Fresh an Clean 24/7-365. He had 8, EIGHT back surgeries. Had the back brace for when he needed to immobilize his spine. He told me to Neva Eva Eva Evvaaa let them cut on ur back. I do tree work an had my 1st serious acc this weekend. Big branch to head knocked of helmet an folded me up. Bumps bruises but my lower back on right side hurts still. Standing up hurts an pressure from sitting causes discomfort. Guess im going to the Dr. today to get checked out. Back pain is no joke !! Prayers for Any an All who suffer from back pain!

[shanrebecca]

I'm having severe lower back pain to the point I cry and have screamed I've had to put my knees to my chest slowly and turn on my side it's when I am on my back and wake up I'm 41 and I've never been in any serious accident

[margaretskinner]

Ever since I had both knees replaced nearly two years ago I’ve had progressively worse pain in my lower back with bouts of waist down paralysis, if I’m not near a chair or bed then I hit the floor till the paralysis subsides, it can range from 5-30 mins, all throughout these episodes I’m screaming and crying for someone to stop the pain burning through my lower back! Finally got to see neurologist last week and he got me into mri this weekend! God I just want answers and relief to walk without a ability walker once again!

[Justflyaway]

For God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life - JOHN 3 V 16

[tmreed]

I pushed through back pain from Spondylolisthesis and Stenosis until I had a bad fall, had some X-rays and an MRI done and then was told it was time to have surgery. I had spinal fusion surgery (anterior and posterior) and it was the best decision I made in terms of my back. Note this was a last resort. I tried a lot of conservative treatments beforehand.

[knuftobor]

I had an Aortic Dissection in 2010. My legs gave out in the shower and I had chest pain. The back pain was so bad I thought I was going to die from the pain. I could not control my breathing and was screamin in ER. They gave me morphine and did test. A doctor came in and said I needed heart surgery ASAP.

[FaeryMoon]

I have a diagnosis sheet that says that at 46 yrs old. I have Ankylosking Spondylitis, DDD, Spinal Stenosis ( all 3 areas of my spine C, T and L), Scoliosis, Peripheral Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, all disc's are herniated and/or ruptured, broken hardware in my C spine and at least 2 arthritis on this diagnosis sheet. Neuro Surgeon says to start I need 3-4 cages In my Lumbar. But Iam struggling with nicotine .. so, I haven't had the first of what could be many surgeries. ... and NO help from the dr to make me comfier. Karma... I suppose.

[nickp]

Excellent, informative presentation. Thank you…this has been very helpful.

[yonstbk]

Im having this SEVERE spasm like pain in my lower right back while im lying in bed at night. Its such a sharp pain that my whole body will jump/twitch. I also feel the pain often thru out the day, but only get the sharp stabbing spasm in bed.

[Specialblend]

There's a difference between pain and suffering. My back has been out for three weeks, the longest one yet... spasms, sciatica, intense localized burning. But, Im not suffering. I've managed this for 12 years with strength training and there's no way in hell I'll ever get a fusion. I completed my Clinical Psych internship at a pain clinic and witnessed two prominent themes found in the data: Opioids are not successful for chronic pain management and, mental health is the largest predictor of chronic pain.

The best prevention measure is STRONG glutes, hamstrings, and core.

[saswatimohanty]

Hello sir...I had an accident in around 2017-18 in which my coccyx bone had cracked a bit roughly and it took around 6 to 8 months to heal completely and for calcium build...but after almost one year of the incident I started getting severe pain in the area between my shoulder and neck one the left side and in the year 2021 in both the sides...and now from some months am getting pain in my lower back as well and I just always have this feeling to crack my back and feel relaxed

[Verbsdescribeus]

Thank you for all this useful information! I will go to emergency room...

[SoggyMuffin]

I'm very young, and I started experiencing severe lower back pain. I think its from office syndrome. During covid all I did was sit in front of a screen all day and that's totally my fault. It's the most painful thing ever. Once I bent down to do something and got up, heard a crack, then boom. Throbbing pain started hitting me. I can't hold myself up as much, I can't bend or straighten my back too much. Basically I can't put any pressure on my lower back. Its the worse and its so scary like what happening to me?