Back pain
What is back pain?
Back pain is very common – most people will experience it at some point during their lives.
With simple advice and by keeping moving as much as your pains allow, most people will see improvement in their back pain within a few weeks of it starting and will settle fully. For some, however, it can persist. The following information is aimed to help people with new or persisting pains.
Facts (and myth busting) about back pain:
- The intensity of some back pain can be so high that people worry about it being dangerous.
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In almost all cases, there is no serious cause even when the pain feels very bad.
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There are many factors than can make your back more sensitive including stress, tiredness, tension, doing less activity, or suddenly doing more than usual.
- Backs do not wear out
- Movement, including lifting, bending, and twisting is essential to keep your back healthy and help recovery at any age
- Back pain happens in all age groups and usually gets better whatever age you are
- Getting older does not mean you will get more back pain
- How you sit, stand, bend or having a ‘weak core’ is not the reason your back hurts
- When painful, these positions and movements might feel uncomfortable, especially if done for longer than it can manage at the time
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There is no ‘perfect posture’, keep your back moving by regularly changing position and try to relax the spine
- Not moving often makes things stiffer and more painful
- The pain may make you feel like there is damage, but usually shows how sensitive it has become
- It’s safe and normal to feel some pains as you get active. This should settle over time as you manage to do more
- Movement, activity and exercise are the main recommended treatments for back pain of all severities. If you need guidance with this – seek a professional opinion
- A flare up is when your back pain suddenly gets worse than it normally is. The pain may feel sharper, stronger, or more limiting for a while, but it usually eases again as things settle. It can come on quickly or build up over a day or two
- Flare ups can be distressing and demoralising but are not usually related to any tissue damage.
- Common triggers can include poor sleep, fatigue, low mood, tension, worries, less activity or a sudden increase in activity that you’re not accustomed to. Focussing on these triggers can help.
- Trying to return to relaxed, gentle movement, continuing your daily activities and focussing on ways to stay calm can make things easier and recovery from a flare up quicker.
- Scan & X-Rays show what structures look like but not what they feel like.
- As most back pain gets better on its own, only a very small number of people benefit from imaging and need an expert opinion to trigger this if needed.
- Scans & X-Rays show changes in people with no pain at all.
- The words used in the imaging reports often sound worrying and can cause more concern than reassurance.
- Changes on a scan do not match how the spine feels or how much it is impacting on you.
- For more, see this infographic
- These carry increasing risks and side effects to weigh up
- They do not provide very effective help in the long term
- Instead consider ‘over the counter’ options, staying as active as you can, staying in work and socialising
- If you feel you need to be considered for strong medications, injections or a surgical opinion, ask your local healthcare professional who can access expert guidance on these topics.
Ask for an urgent GP practice appointment or call 111 if:
You have back pain and
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- a high temperature
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- you’ve lost weight without trying to
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- there’s a lump or swelling in your back or your back has changed shape
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- the pain does not improve with relative rest and is much worse at night
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- you have new and significant weakness of the muscles in your leg
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
You have back pain and:
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- Chest pain
- It started after a serious, recent accident, such as a car accident
- New (past 2 weeks) loss of feeling/pins and needles between your inner thighs, genitals, back passage or buttocks
- New (past 2 weeks) difficulty when you try to pee or less able to feel the wee coming out
- Not knowing when your bladder or bowel is full or empty
- Recent (past 2 weeks) inability to stop a bowel movement, leaking poo or not able to feel poo coming out
- Recent (past 2 weeks) change in ability to get an erection or ejaculate (come).
- Loss of sensation in genitals during sex
- For more information please read this leaflet.
- For information in more languages on these matters please visit this page.
- Or watch this informative video
For help managing back pain, please read on. For those who unfortunately have persisting pains despite following all guidance, consider seeking professional advice. Persisting pain is incredibly complex and individual to the person but we have a dedicated persistent pain section that explores many of these topics.