Back problems
Back problems
This information is meant to help if you are dealing with a new back problem. If you have already been diagnosed with a back condition, or have had back surgery recently, please continue to follow the advice given by your own healthcare professional.
Back pain is very common, and it often starts without any clear cause. Your spine is a strong structure, and in most cases back problems are not caused by any serious disease or damage, even though the pain itself can feel alarming.
Back problems can bring on a range of symptoms, including:
- stiffness
- muscle spasms
- hot, burning, shooting or stabbing pain in your back, which can sometimes travel into one or both legs or feet
- pins and needles, numbness or weakness, usually caused by irritation of a nerve
In most cases, whether it is a new problem or a flare up of a long standing one, the pain should start to settle within about 6 weeks without needing to see a healthcare professional. For most back pain, you will not normally need an X-ray or MRI scan.
Sudden or worsening back pain
Sometimes back pain can come on so suddenly and severely that you end up on the floor, too sore to move. If this happens to you, there are safe ways to get back on your feet with as little discomfort as possible.
Only try these techniques if you otherwise feel well. If you also have symptoms such as stomach or abdominal pain, this could point to a different condition, so speak with a healthcare professional about it.
To get up safely from lying face down:
- Bend your stronger knee and slowly raise it, along with your upper body, into a crawling position
- Move towards a chair you can use for support
- Pause here to catch your breath
- Support yourself on the chair using your arms
- Bring your stronger leg forward from the kneeling position
- Lean forward and use the chair to support you as you straighten both legs, starting with the stronger one
To get out of a chair safely:
- Ease yourself forward to the edge of the chair
- Brace your tummy muscles
- Use the arms of the chair to help push yourself up to standing
- If the chair has no arms, press down on your thighs for a little extra support
To get into bed safely:
- Feel for the bed at the back of your legs
- Brace your tummy muscles
- Sit down slowly, pressing on your thighs for a little extra support
- Support your body with the arm nearer the top of the bed, and use your other arm to lower yourself down slowly
- Roll onto whichever side feels most comfortable for you
To get out of bed safely:
- Roll onto your tummy and shift yourself towards the edge of the bed
- Let the leg nearest the edge drop towards the floor and begin pushing up with your hands
- Walk your hands back along the bed towards your hips as you raise yourself up
- Carefully bring your other leg down to the floor and stand up
Alternatively:
- Roll onto whichever side feels most comfortable for you
- Support your body with the arm nearer the bed, and use your other arm to slowly start raising yourself up
- Carefully bring your other leg down to the floor and stand up
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious back condition that can lead to permanent damage or disability. If this develops, you will need to be seen urgently by an emergency specialist spinal team.
Phone 111 if:
- there has been a new, significant injury within the last 7 days, for example a fall from height or a direct blow to the back
- you have experienced a new onset of the following symptoms:
- loss of feeling or a pins and needles sensation between your inner thighs or genitals
- numbness in or around your back passage or buttocks
- altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself
- increasing difficulty when you try to urinate
- increasing difficulty when you try to stop or control your flow of urine
- loss of sensation when you pass urine
- leaking urine or a recent need to use pads
- not knowing when your bladder is either full or empty
- inability to stop a bowel movement, or leaking
- loss of sensation when you pass a bowel motion
- a change in your ability to achieve an erection or ejaculate
- loss of sensation in the genitals during sexual intercourse
Contact your GP if:
- you have back pain that is persistent and unchanged despite following self-care advice
- the level of pain is not affected by movement
- the pain is worse at night
If your GP is closed, contact 111.
Causes
Can back pain spread to other parts of the body?
Sometimes a back problem sends hot, burning, shooting, or stabbing pain down into one or both legs. You might also notice tingling or a pins and needles feeling. This usually happens because a nerve is being irritated.
What causes back problems?
Most back problems start without any clear reason, but a few things can make them more likely or worse:
- staying in one position for too long
- lifting something in an awkward way
- a flare up of an old back problem
- doing more physical activity than you're used to
Self-help
Staying active is one of the most important parts of your treatment and recovery, and it's genuinely the best thing you can do for your health. Exercise can make a real difference to your back and ease the pain you're feeling.
Read more about keeping active.
Things that help
- try to keep up your current level of fitness. Even if you need to adjust how you normally move, doing some activity is always better than doing none
- try to keep your other muscles and joints strong and flexible
- try to lower the chances of the problem coming back
- try to work towards a healthy body weight
Things to avoid
- don't brace yourself or hold your body stiff and still. Your back is made to move
- don't sit or rest for long stretches. Resting in bed doesn't actually help back pain, and it often makes it harder to get moving again
If you do need to sit or rest, try changing position often and find whichever position eases the pain in your back or legs the most.
It also helps to do specific exercises aimed at your recovery. They might feel difficult at first, so just do what you can manage and slowly build up over time.
Exercises to help with back pain
Think about your posture
Your posture doesn't need to be perfect, but try to move around regularly so you're not stuck in the same position for too long. This will help you recover and return to your normal activities.
Treatment
Pharmacy First Scotland: Back pain treatment from your pharmacy
If you have back pain you can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy. Find your local pharmacy on Scotland’s Service Directory
Pain treatments
The following can help to reduce the pain:
- pain medication – this can help you move more comfortably, which can help your recovery
- heat or ice packs
More about taking painkillers.
Remember to never place ice or heat directly on your skin. Use a barrier, like a towel, to protect your skin from a burn.
How long you use ice as a treatment can depend on the painful area but generally up to 15 minutes leaving a few hours between treatments.
You should stop treating the area with ice or heat and seek advice from a medical professional if you notice an increase in redness, discolouration or blistering of the skin.
If you have any issues with circulation or sensation, you shouldn’t use ice or heat as a treatment for back pain.
Stay positive
It’s easy to start worrying about all the possible things that could be wrong, but research has shown that most back pain settles with time.
Keeping as active as possible helps you to cope better and get back to your usual activities more quickly.
Work
It’s recommended you stay at or return to work as quickly as possible during your recovery. You don’t need to be pain and symptom-free to return to work.
Help and support
Following this advice, you should see gradual improvements over time.
You should see the biggest change in your symptoms within the first couple of weeks. Most problems should have improved within 6 weeks.
If your back problem hasn’t improved within 6 weeks of following this advice, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional about your symptoms.
Find out how to access MSK services in your area.
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