Back Pain: Symptoms, Treatment & When You Should See Your Gp
Back pain.
Lower back pain affects 70% of people at some time in their lives. Any pain or ache on your back in between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your legs is classified as lower back pain. Lower back pain can appear gradually or suddenly or after a fall that has caused injury. The lower back has a very complex structure which means that even small amounts of damage to any part of the lower back can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Pain in your lower back is usually a symptom of stress or damage to your tendons, muscles, ligaments or discs. In some cases sciatica may occur. Sciatica is pain in the buttocks or thighs caused by a trapped or irritated nerve.
You should see your GP if you experience back pain with any of the following:
- fever
- weight loss
- any swelling on the back,
- constant pain that doesn’t ease after changing position or resting
- pain in the chest or upper back
- pain in the calves or knees
- loss of bladder control
- decreased urinating
- loss of bowel control
- any numbness
Acute back pain can be treated using exercise and painkillers for chronic back pain medical treatment may also be needed.
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