When you or a family member becomes ill, sustains an injury, or suffers from sudden or chronic pain, it’s important to seek the assistance of a medical professional. Your nearest urgent care clinic can provide expert medical help without the waiting time associated with traditional hospital emergency rooms. It’s also important to note that 85% of these clinics are open throughout the entire week.

Urgent care clinics can address a variety of issues, including chronic back pain. Nearly 70% of people in the United States claim that their lower-back pain affects their daily lives. However, a minimum of 40% of the individuals that experience this type of pain aren’t seeking the medical help that they need. Even though 4 out of 10 people do exercise to alleviate their pain, it’s still important to be under the care of a doctor or a physical therapist as well.

There are a variety of common issues that are treated in urgent care centers. In 2012, for example, the most common were upper-respiratory conditions and wound repair. Bone fractures can also be addressed in 4 out of 5 urgent care facilities. Since estimates show 25,000 people in the United States sprain their ankles every day, it’s important to note that these can be diagnosed and treated at an urgent care facility. Furthermore, this will be at a fraction of the cost when considering the price tag on traditional emergency room visits.

Doctors often receive complaints about their patients feeling dizzy or experiencing a loss of balance. This is particularly common with individuals that are over 60 years of age. Every day, 65% of the individuals within this age group have reported these symptoms. These, too, can be addressed at a local urgent care facility.

When you have a life-threatening illness or injury, it’s important to go to the hospital emergency room to receive care. If this is an ongoing condition, it would be a good idea to have your local emergency room number listed in your phone contacts. In addition to having your local emergency room number on your phone, it’s also a good idea to include it on a list of important numbers that are posted in your kitchen or another obvious place within your home.