Condition: Back Pain

Back pain is an incredibly common issue, and will affect most people at least once at some point in life. Back pain can range from dull aching pain to sharp, burning pain anywhere in the back from the top of your neck, down to your pelvis.

Back pain can be addressed, eased and sometimes resolved completely with a combination of at-home exercises, selfcare, and medical treatments.

Pain felt in the back can range from dull muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. Depending on the severity and wherein the back you are experiencing pain, movements including bending, twisting, lifting, standing and walking can make it worse or cause sudden pain. In some cases, back pain can also radiate down one or both legs.

Most cases of back pain will gradually improve within a few weeks with self-care and at-home treatment and exercises. However, you should make an appointment with a consultant as soon as possible if your back pain:

• Lasts longer than 3 weeks

• Is very severe and does not ease with rest

• Radiates down one or both legs, especially past the knee

• Causes weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs

• Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss

• Causes new bowel or bladder issues

• Is paired with a fever

• Has come on after a traumatic injury such as a fall

There are many causes of back pain, some of which are obvious, and some which require more investigation. A common cause of back pain is a strained muscle or sprained ligament, which could be acquired from playing sports, lifting something heavy, or even just twisting awkwardly. Poor posture and a lack of exercise can also cause aching due to stiffening of the spine and weak muscles.

More serious causes of back pain, that may require medical attention, include conditions such as:

• A slipped disc

• Sciatica

• Ankylosing spondylitis

• Arthritis

• Osteoporosis

• A tumour

• Spinal stenosis

At OneWelbeck, our consultants can make a diagnosis of back pain and identify the cause to recommend and provide the most appropriate and effective treatment. At your consultation, your specialist will ask you a range of questions about your lifestyle, symptoms and suspected cause, will do a physical examination and may run some tests to confirm the cause.

Tests to diagnose the cause of back pain may include blood tests, imaging scans such as X-rays, MRI or CT scans, and nerve studies such as electromyography (EMG).

These causes of back pain can often be remedied with at-home treatment including hot and cold packs, exercises and stretches, and anti-inflammatory medicines taken with painkillers.

Treatment options for back pain include medications such as pain relief and muscle relaxants, physical therapy, or procedures like injections, nerve stimulation and surgery.

The best treatment for back pain depends on its cause. Your OneWelbeck consultant will explain all of your treatment options and recommend the most appropriate next steps to ensure you make the best possible recovery.