Back pain

Back pain is extremely common in people of all ages. Mr Nicholas Thomas gives us the low-down and what we can be doing to help it. Normally it will resolve itself within a couple of weeks or months but patients can also experience life-long symptoms of back pain. It can be felt anywhere in the back and can occur for various different reasons.There are many different ways to relieve and treat back pain but to also reduce it from coming back.

• Staying fit and healthy
• Improving your posture
• Knowing your limit and not performing over-strenuous activities
• Being active and stretching your back and body. This can be done by walking, running, stretching, swimming, yoga, Pilates and much more.
• Taking anti-inflammatory painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Using heat or cooling compressors to the area of pain
• Using a supportive mattress

If none of the above have worked and you are still experiencing pain and it is worsening and starting to affect your day to day activities then it may be worth a visit to your GP as there could be an underlying issue. Your GP will examine you, talk through your medical history and see if other therapies could help.

You may even be asked to have a scan like an X-ray or MRI.The causes of back pain obviously differ but they are also very non-specific. It can be due to strain or injury, an accident or simply not being active enough. But there can be medical reasons like a slipped disc or even sciatica. These symptoms will be accompanied by more than just back pain, for example you may be experiencing tingling, weakness, numbness and pain radiating to the arms or legs.It is important to seek urgent medical advice if you are experiencing these symptoms:

• Numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttock area
• Bladder or bowel incontinence
• High temperature
• Chest pain
• Swelling or deformity in the back
• If you have been in a serious accident
• If your back pain is not improving or getting significantly worse

We see patients with all types of back pain related problems and conditions. Although it is common, there can be underlying issues that you may not be aware of. If your back pain and its symptoms are getting in the way of life and not resolving then it is important to get a second opinion. Contact us to book an appointment and get the diagnosis and help you need.