Back Pain can be extremely common. It is most common in people between the ages of 35 and 55.
Back problems can cause a range of symptoms including:
- stiffness
- muscle spasm
- hot, burning, shooting or stabbing pains in your back and sometimes into one or both of your legs
- pins and needles due to nerve irritation
Most people will experience short-lived back pain, which settles within a few days to six weeks with simple treatment. This can be caused by ‘over-doing’ activity such as gardening or DIY, or doing a new activity. It can also be caused by poor posture when carrying out an activity or movement.
Some people will have pain that lasts longer than 6 weeks, and can have good or bad days with this.
With any back pain, it is very important to try and keep as mobile as possible, with gentle movements and regular, short walks which you should aim to build up.
The following links provide some very helpful back exercises which you should aim to try little and often, as you are comfortable. Any exercise which increases your pain should be avoided until you pain is more manageable.
Versus Arthritis Back Pain Exercises
NHS Inform Exercises for Back Pain
If your pain does not settle in 6 weeks, you may need to seek further advice and can refer to physiotherapy through the self referral method.
Warning: Cauda equina sundrome is a rare but serious back condition which can lead to permanent damage or disability. If you develop this condition you'll need to be seen by an emergency team.
Phone 111 or attend your local A+E as soon as possible if you have:
- Difficulty passing or controlling urine.
- Numbness or altered feeling around your back passage or genitals -for example when wiping after toileting.
- Sudden or newly worsening leg pain which extends below the knee in both legs
- New onset difficulty controlling bowel continence.
- Recent inability to achieve an erection or ejaculate, or numbness during intercourse.
It is important to contact your medical practice if:
- Your back pain came on following a fall or trauma.
- You feel generally unwell
- You have back pain that starts when you're ill with other problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer
- Feel unsteady when you walk.