Back pain
Overview
Back pain, particularly lower back pain, is very common. It usually improves within a few weeks but can sometimes last longer or keep coming back. There are things you can do to help ease the pain.
Symptoms
Muscle ache; shooting, burning, or stabbing sensation; pain radiating down legs (sciatica); pain worsens with bending, twisting, lifting, standing, walking; limited flexibility; muscle weakness; numbness or tingling in legs.
Causes
Back pain can have many causes. It's not always obvious what causes it, and it often gets better on its own. A common cause of back pain is an injury like a pulled muscle (strain). Sometimes, medical conditions like aslipped disc,sciatica(a trapped nerve) orankylosing spondylitiscan cause back pain. Very rarely, back pain can be a sign of a serious problem such as a broken bone, cancer or an infection.
Treatment
If your back pain is severe or not getting better, a GP may prescribe painkillers or medicines to relax the muscles in your back. Other treatments may be recommended if your pain does not get better after a few weeks. These include: group exercise sessions andphysiotherapymanual therapy – where a trained therapist massages and moves the muscles, bones and joints in your backcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)to help you cope with the paina procedure to seal off some of the nerves in your back so they stop sending pain signals (only for long-term lower back pain) If your back pain is caused by a medical condition like a slipped disc and other treatments have not helped, surgery may be an option.
Prevention
Regular exercise to strengthen back/core; maintain healthy weight; practice good posture; lift smartly using legs; quit smoking.
When to see a doctor
Seek emergency care if: occurs after trauma; causes bowel/bladder problems; accompanied by fever. See GP if: lasts longer than few weeks; severe and doesn't improve with rest; spreads down legs; causes weakness/numbness; paired with unexplained weight loss.