Imaging tests for lower-back pain, when you need them and when you don’t

See the attached article for why you SHOULDN'T get a scan right away if you have recent low back pain. It's fascinating stuff! Diagnostic imaging, and the medical interventions that follow, can simply interfere with a back that had a high statistical probability of healing on its own. 

The article explains "Red flags that can make such testing worthwhile include a history of cancer, unexplained weight loss, fever, recent infection, loss of bowel or bladder control, abnormal reflexes, or loss of muscle power or feeling in the legs. In other cases, you probably don’t need an imaging test for at least several weeks after the onset of your back pain, and only after you’ve tried the self-care measures described..." 


http://consumerhealthchoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ChoosingWiselyBackPainAAFP.pdf