Back Pain

Back Pain

Back pain is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It can be caused by a variety of factors including muscle strain, poor posture, injury, or underlying medical conditions.

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What is Back Pain?

Back pain is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It can be caused by a variety of factors including muscle strain, poor posture, injury, or underlying medical conditions. The pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes it hard to move. Most back pain improves within a few weeks without the need for medical treatment, but some cases may require further medical advice and treatment.

Typical Symptoms of Back Pain
  • Muscle aches or stiffness along the spine, from the neck to the tailbone
  • Sharp or stabbing pain in one area of the back
  • Pain that radiates down the leg, especially below the knee
  • Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing, or walking
  • Difficulty standing up straight or moving freely
  • Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet 

Infants and young children may show signs of back pain by crying, irritability, or refusing to move. As the condition can impact sleep, they may become restless or tired.

Medical Treatment of Back Pain

During your consultation your healthcare practitioner may advise treating your back pain with:

  • Topical analgesic creams such as Ibuleve and Voltarol gel
  • Pain relief medications such as regular paracetamol or ibuprofen
  • Muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory drugs

On top of this, you can get relief from:

  • Staying active and continuing with your daily activities as much as possible
  • Applying heat or cold packs to the affected area
  • Gentle stretching and exercises to improve flexibility and strength - the NHS provide a good online resource for this
  • Good posture and ergonomic adjustments to your work and home environments
  • For example, if you use a monitor, this needs to be at the correct height
  • Physiotherapy, which can provide tailored exercises and treatments

Back pain usually gets better on its own within a few weeks. However, you should seek medical advice if the pain is severe, does not improve within a few weeks, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss, fever, or problems with bladder or bowel control. Your healthcare specialist can advise you on the best course of action during your consultation.

If you experience recurrent back pain, you may need to be referred to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

Author

Dr Adam Kirk

Revision 1.0 - 17/07/2025

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  4. When it’s time for your consultation, use the link to join and meet your healthcare specialist. You can join from your mobile phone, tablet, or computer (you will need a webcam)
  5. During the consultation, your healthcare specialist will discuss your symptoms and make recommendations based on your personal situation . They will also be able to answer your questions about Erectile Dysfunction and possible treatments

  7. If you do require a prescription for pain relief or other medications, your healthcare specialist will add this to your basket so at the end of your consultation, you’ll be able to ‘check-out’.

Possible Causes of Back Pain

Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Muscle or ligament strain due to heavy lifting or sudden awkward movements
  • Bulging or ruptured discs that press on nerves
  • Arthritis or other degenerative conditions affecting the spine
  • Osteoporosis, which can lead to fractures in the spine

  • Poor posture or prolonged sitting

Preventing Back Pain

The best way to prevent back pain is to practise good posture, maintain a healthy weight, and stay active with regular exercise. If you need to lift heavy objects then using the correct technique is important. Using ergonomic furniture and avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or standing can also help reduce the risk of back pain. If you have a desk job, make sure your workstation is set up correctly to support your back and take regular breaks to move and stretch.

References

(1) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/(2) https://www.csp.org.uk/conditions/back-pain/living-back-pain(3) https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/778(4) https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/manual-handling/good-handling-technique.htm

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