Low Back Pain Red Flags

Referral means the presentation warrants further assessment or another provider's input, not necessarily surgery or a severe diagnosis. Some low back pain presentations require medical evaluation rather than continued conservative care alone. Worsening symptoms should lead to earlier referral rather than waiting a full month. Low back pain after significant trauma should prompt referral or medical evaluation to rule out fracture or other injury. Lack of perceptible improvement after about one month of care is a referral trigger. X-ray may be a reasonable initial imaging option in trauma cases when screening for fracture is the goal.