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Severe Back Pain: When It Is an Emergency in Beaumont

Most back pain comes from strained muscles and improves over days to weeks with gentle movement and over-the-counter pain relief. A small number of back pain cases signal a nerve, infection, kidney or blood vessel problem that cannot wait. New leg weakness, numbness in the groin, trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, fever, or pain after a serious fall are reasons to be seen now. Eastex Emergency Room in Beaumont is open 24/7.

Pain with leg weaknessBladder or bowel changesBack pain with feverPain after a fall

Back pain red flags that need emergency care

These signs can mean pressure on the spinal nerves, a spine infection, a fracture or a problem with the aorta. Do not wait to see if they improve.

New trouble peeing, not being able to pee, or loss of bladder or bowel control
Numbness in the groin, buttocks or inner thighs
New or worsening weakness in one or both legs, or trouble walking
Fever or chills with back pain
Back pain after a fall, crash or hard hit, especially in older adults
Sudden severe pain in the back or belly, especially with dizziness or fainting
History of cancer with new back pain
Pain that is severe at night and does not change with position, with unexplained weight loss

Call 911 for sudden tearing pain in the back or belly with fainting or dizziness, or back pain after a serious injury with numbness or weakness. Do not move a person with a possible spine injury.

Symptoms

Common back pain vs. warning signs

Typical muscle-related back pain often starts after lifting, twisting or overuse and changes with movement. Pain that spreads down a leg is common too. The concern is new nerve problems or whole-body symptoms.

Aching or stiffness in the lower back
Muscle spasms
Pain that is worse with certain movements
Pain that spreads to the buttock or down one leg
Tingling in one leg or foot
Difficulty standing straight
Pain with fever or chills, which is a warning sign
Numbness in the saddle area, which is a warning sign
New leg weakness or foot drop, which is a warning sign
New bladder or bowel changes, which is a warning sign

Possible Causes

Causes of severe back pain

The source is often muscles and ligaments. Emergency evaluation focuses on the less common causes that need fast treatment.

Muscle strain and disc problems

Strains, sprains and herniated discs cause most back pain. A disc can press on a nerve and cause leg pain.

Nerve compression emergencies

Cauda equina syndrome and other spinal cord compression can cause bladder changes, saddle numbness and leg weakness.

Causes outside the spine

Kidney stones, kidney infection, a spine infection, a fracture or an aortic aneurysm can all cause back pain.

Symptoms alone cannot always tell these apart: a kidney stone and a pulled muscle can both cause one-sided back pain, and early nerve compression may only cause subtle changes. Pay attention to the red flags and tell the doctor about any bladder or bowel change, even if it seems embarrassing. It changes the evaluation.

Your Evaluation

How the ER evaluates severe back pain

The exam focuses on nerve function and on causes outside the spine. Imaging is used when it will change the next step, not for every backache.

History. How the pain started, injuries, fever, cancer history, bladder and bowel changes, and medicines.
Neurological exam. Strength, reflexes and sensation in the legs and, when needed, the saddle area.
Urine and blood tests. These can point to a kidney stone, infection or inflammation.
Imaging when needed. X-ray or CT for fractures or other causes. Some nerve problems need an MRI, which is arranged at a hospital when indicated.
Pain relief. Medicines to make you comfortable enough to move.
A plan. Most people go home with a plan to stay active and follow up. Suspected nerve compression or infection needs urgent hospital care.

Testing available on site

X-ray

Imaging for bones, chest and some foreign bodies.

CT scan

Cross-sectional imaging when the exam calls for it.

Lab testing

Blood and urine tests run on site.

IV fluids and medicine

Fluids and medicines through an IV when you need them.

The tests above are the diagnostic services Eastex ER lists on its own service pages. Not every patient needs every test. The emergency physician decides what to order based on your history and exam, and a normal result does not rule out every cause. Always follow your discharge instructions and the follow-up plan you are given.

What happens if you need an MRI or a spine specialist

Eastex ER is a freestanding emergency room. This page does not promise MRI availability, and the facility does not have spine surgery or inpatient beds. If your exam suggests nerve compression, spinal infection or another problem that needs MRI, a spine surgeon or hospital admission, the team arranges urgent transfer to a hospital.

Cauda equina syndrome is a surgical emergency. Time matters, so do not delay care if you have bladder changes or saddle numbness.
For ordinary back strain, imaging is often not needed, and staying gently active usually helps recovery.

Back pain that can usually be managed at home

If your pain started after lifting or bending, changes with movement, and you have none of the red flags above, it is often a muscle or ligament strain. Most of these improve within a few weeks. Gentle walking, heat or ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers used as directed on the label can help. Long bed rest tends to slow recovery. See your primary care doctor if pain is not improving after a few weeks, or sooner if it keeps you from working or sleeping.

Higher-risk situations

Some people should have a lower threshold to get back pain checked quickly:

Adults over about 50 with new back pain, or anyone with a history of cancer.
People with osteoporosis or who take long-term steroid medicines, because a minor fall can cause a fracture.
People with a weakened immune system, who inject drugs, or who recently had a spinal procedure, because of the risk of spine infection.
Anyone with known aortic aneurysm, or a smoker over 65 with sudden severe back or belly pain.

What to tell the doctor

Be specific about when the pain began, what you were doing, where it spreads, and whether you have any numbness, tingling, weakness, fever, weight loss or changes in how you pee or pass stool. Mention any past back surgery, cancer, recent infections and the medicines you take, including blood thinners.

Planning Your Visit

Before you come in

Bring a list of medicines, including blood thinners and steroid medicines, and any recent spine imaging reports.

Find us

5550 Eastex Fwy, Suite C, Beaumont, TX 77708. Open 24 hours, every day. Call 409-800-1100.

What to bring

Photo ID, insurance card and a list of your medicines and allergies, if you can grab them safely.

Insurance

See which plans we work with and what to expect as a freestanding emergency room.

Billing

How emergency visits are billed, and who to contact with questions about a bill.

FAQs

Back pain questions

Short answers to questions people ask before they come in.

Not sure what to do?

If symptoms are severe or getting worse, call 911. For questions about coming in, call Eastex ER any time.

409-800-1100

When should I go to the ER for back pain?

Go now for back pain with new leg weakness, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, bladder or bowel changes, fever, or after a significant fall or crash. Sudden severe back or belly pain with dizziness needs 911.

Can urgent care treat back pain?

Yes, for typical muscle strain without red flags. Urgent care or your doctor can examine you and suggest treatment.

Will I get an MRI in the ER?

Most back pain does not need an MRI. When symptoms suggest nerve compression or infection, the doctor will arrange MRI and specialist care, which may mean transfer to a hospital.

Could my back pain be a kidney stone?

It could. Stones often cause pain in the side or back that comes in waves, sometimes with blood in the urine or nausea. Testing can help tell the difference.

What is cauda equina syndrome?

It is compression of the bundle of nerves at the bottom of the spinal canal. Warning signs include saddle numbness, bladder or bowel problems and leg weakness. It needs emergency care.

Should I rest in bed?

Short rest may help in the first day or two, but staying gently active usually leads to faster recovery for ordinary back strain.

Keep Reading

Related guides

More from Eastex ER on deciding where to go and what to expect. Browse every guide in our health resources library.

Emergency careBroken bone and fracture care Emergency careAbdominal pain emergency care GuideIs it an emergency or urgent care?

Back pain with warning signs? Be seen now.

Eastex Emergency Room is open 24/7 at 5550 Eastex Fwy, Suite C, Beaumont, TX 77708. Walk in or call 409-800-1100. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Sources

Last updated: November 12, 2026

This page is general education and does not replace an exam by a clinician. If you think you are having a life-threatening emergency, call 911.