Introduction
- Back pain
Contents
Overview
Causes
Treatment
Back pain is extremely typical and generally improves within a couple of weeks or months.
Pain in the lower back (lumbago) is especially common, although it can be felt anywhere along the spine, from the neck down to the hips.
The pain is not triggered by anything major and will typically get much better over time.
There are things you can do to help alleviate it. However in some cases the pain can last a very long time or keep returning.
How to ease back pain
The following pointers may help reduce your pain in the back and accelerate your healing:
remain as active as possible and attempt to continue your daily activities-- this is 1 of the most crucial things you can do, as resting for long periods is likely to make the discomfort even worse
try workouts and stretches for neck and back pain; other activities such as strolling, swimming, yoga and pilates might likewise be practical
take anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen-- keep in mind to examine the medication is safe for you to take and ask a pharmacist if you're not exactly sure
usage hot or cold compression loads for short-term relief-- you can purchase these from a pharmacy, or a hot water bottle or a bag of frozen veggies covered in a fabric or towel will work simply as well
Although it can be hard, it assists if you remain optimistic and recognise that your pain must improve. Individuals who handle to remain positive regardless of their pain tend to recuperate quicker.
Back pain generally gets better by itself within a few weeks or months and you may not need to see a physician or other health care expert.
But it's a great concept to get help if:
the discomfort does not begin to improve within a couple of weeks
the pain stops you doing your day-to-day activities
the discomfort is really severe or becomes worse in time
you're fretted about the discomfort or having a hard time to cope
If you see a GP they will ask about your symptoms, examine your back and discuss possible treatments.
They might refer you to an expert medical professional or a physiotherapist for additional help.
Alternatively, you might want to consider contacting a physiotherapist directly. Some NHS physio therapists accept appointments without a doctor's referral, or you might pick to pay for personal treatment.
Learn more about how to get access to physiotherapy.
Treatments for back pain from an expert
A GP, professional or physio therapist might suggest extra treatments if they do not think your pain will improve with self-help measures alone.
These may include:
group workout classes where you're taught exercises to enhance your muscles and enhance your posture
manual treatment treatments, such as controling the spine and massage, which are generally done by a physio therapist, chiropractic specialist or osteopath
mental support, such as cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT), which can be a helpful part of treatment if you're struggling to deal with discomfort
Some people choose to see a therapist for manual therapy without seeing a GP. If you want to do this, you'll usually require to spend for personal treatment.
Surgery is generally just considered in the small number of cases where pain in the back is brought on by a specific medical condition.
Causes of neck and back pain
It's typically not possible to recognize the cause of pain in the back. Doctors call this non-specific neck and back pain.
Often the pain might be from an injury such as a sprain or pressure, however frequently it happens for no apparent reason. It's really rarely triggered by anything serious.
Occasionally neck and back pain can be triggered by a medical condition such as:
a slipped (prolapsed) disc-- where a disc of cartilage in the spine presses on a nearby nerve
sciatica-- inflammation of the nerve that ranges from the pelvis to the feet
These conditions tend to trigger additional signs, such as feeling numb, weakness or a tingling feeling, and they're dealt with differently from non-specific pain in the back
Avoiding back pain.
It's hard to prevent neck and back pain, but the following ideas might help in reducing your danger:
do regular back workouts and stretches-- a GP or physio therapist might have the ability to advise you about workouts to try
stay active-- doing regular workout can help keep your back strong; adults are encouraged to do at least 150 minutes of exercise a week
prevent sitting for long periods
take care when lifting-- read some safe lifting pointers
inspect your posture when sitting, utilizing computers or tablets and watching tv-- discover how to sit correctly and get ideas for laptop users
make sure the mattress on your bed supports you appropriately
lose weight through a combination of a healthy diet and routine workout if you're obese-- being obese can increase your danger of establishing neck and back pain
When to get immediate medical advice
You must contact a GP or NHS 111 immediately if you have neck and back pain and:
pins and needles or tingling around your genitals or buttocks
problem peeing
loss of bladder or bowel control-- peeing or pooing yourself
chest pain
a heat
unintentional weight-loss
a swelling or a defect in your back
it does not improve after resting or is even worse in the evening
it began after a major mishap, such as after a vehicle accident
the pain is so bad you're having problems sleeping
pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or pooing
the pain is coming from the top of your back, between your shoulders, instead of your lower back
These issues could be a sign of something more severe and need to be inspected urgently.