“How serious is this pain?” It’s one of the most common — and difficult — questions people ask themselves. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, there are clear guidelines that can help you decide when it’s time to seek help from a chiropractor.

Does your pain feel like it’s “boring” into you? Does it wake you from sleep? These signs often point to a more serious issue.
Common causes include:

• Kidney stones

• Inflamed gallbladder

• Severe heartburn

If your pain fits this description, see your chiropractor or family physician right away.

Muscle and joint pain can be trickier to assess. A sharp pain after twisting or bending, followed by stiffness the next morning, might not seem like an emergency — but certain signs mean it is time to call [1,2]:

✅ Call your chiropractor immediately if you notice:

• Pain radiating down your leg

• Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot

• Pain triggered by coughing or sneezing

• Severe pain that limits movement

If these symptoms are present, don’t wait — early treatment can make a big difference.

If your pain is manageable and not radiating, consider your personal pain tolerance.

• Low pain tolerance? Go ahead and book an appointment.

• High pain threshold? You might choose to wait, but if symptoms don’t improve within 48 hours, schedule a visit to be safe.

If you have a serious underlying condition [3] — such as:

• Cancer

• Endocrine disorder

• Systemic infection

Then any new back pain deserves immediate attention. It’s not alarmist — it’s just smart precaution.

These guidelines are helpful, but they’re not absolute. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. And if you’re ever unsure, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Your chiropractor is here to help you make the right call.