Low back pain

Symptoms

Signs of a serious problem

You should seek urgent medical help if you have back pain and:

a high temperature (fever)
unexplained weight loss
a swelling or a deformity in your back
it's constant and doesn't ease after lying down
pain in your chest
loss of bladder or bowel control
an inability to pass urine
numbness around your genitals, buttocks or back passage
it's worse at night
it started after an accident, such as after a car accident

These problems could be a sign of something more serious and need to be assessed as soon as possible.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 23 Sep 2018

Articles for low back pain

Introduction

Back pain is a common problem that affects most people at some point in their life. It may be triggered by bad posture while sitting or standing, bending awkwardly, or lifting incorrectly.

You should seek urgent medical help if you have back pain and a high temperature (fever), unexplained weight loss, a swelling or a deformity in your back, it's constant and doesn't ease after lying down, etc.

Causes

Your back is a complex structure made up of bones, muscles, nerves and joints. This can often make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the pain.

Diagnosis

Most cases of back pain do not require medical attention and can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers and self-care. However, you should visit your GP if you are worried about your condition or struggling to cope with the pain.

Treatment

Treatments for back pain vary depending on how long you have had the pain, how severe it is, and your individual needs and preferences. Initially, back pain is usually treated with over-the-counter painkillers and home treatments.

Lower back pain exercises

There are some simple back exercises and stretches you can do at home to help ease lower back pain and improve your strength and flexibility.

Prevention

Keeping your back strong and supple is the best way to avoid getting back pain. Regular exercise, maintaining good posture and lifting correctly will all help. How you sit, stand and lie down can have an important effect on your back.

"I've picked up my life again."

Back pain was agony for Anne Parker from Berkshire, but thanks to the right diagnosis shes now walking tall. My bad back started 12 years ago with pains in my right buttock. When I saw my GP, he said the problem was actually my back,and he gave me painkillers.

"I can continue going about my daily life."

Kiran Mohan tells his story about his struggle with back pain. "My back problems started in 1999 when I developed a severe pain in the heel of one of my feet, which gradually progressed to the other foot." he says.

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