Lower Back Pain

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Routinely:

• Your back pain does not improve after treating it at home for a few weeks
• The pain is stopping you doing your day-to-day activities
• The pain is severe or getting worse over time
• You're worried about the pain or you're struggling to cope

Urgently:

You have back pain and:

• a high temperature
• you've lost weight without trying to
• there's a lump or swelling in your back or your back has changed shape
• the pain does not improve after resting or is worse at night
• the pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or pooing
• the pain is coming from the top of your back (between your shoulders), rather than your lower back

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

• Symptoms of Sepsis (click here for more information)
• Altered sensation (numbness; pins and needles; tingling) in the genitals and/or buttock/rectal area(s)
• Loss of control / disturbance of your bowel or bladder function (peeing or pooing yourself; incontinence)
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty urinating (peeing / weeing)
• Back pain and pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness in both legs
• Chest pain
• It started after a serious accident, such as a car accident

If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the nearest Emergency Department as quickly and safely as possible. You may need to call 999 for an ambulance or consider alternative transport options, such as asking a friend or relative, or using a taxi or ride-sharing service.

Please note: Arriving by ambulance does not guarantee you will be seen sooner. All patients are assessed on arrival, and treatment is prioritized based on the urgency of their symptoms.

• Stay active and try to continue your daily activities
• Take anti-inflammatory medicines (like Ibuprofen* – Paracetamol on it’s own is not recommended on it’s own for back pain but it will likely help when combined with other pain killers like Ibuprofen*)
• Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel to your lower back at least 2-3 times per day 
• Use a heat pack (or hot water bottle) wrapped in a tea towel or a microwave bean bag to your lower back at least 2-3 times per day
• Try doing ‘back pain exercises’ - a YouTube video of Physiotherapy recommended exercises is available at here
• Avoid laying still for long periods of time, this will make the symptoms worse 
• Common treatments from your GP service include referral to Physiotherapy and Analgesia prescriptions
• It is very uncommon to be referred for X-Rays of your back

*Some people should not take Ibuprofen or similar medications due to their medical history, medication interactions or allergies, if you're unsure, please discuss with a Pharmacist, your GP service or 111 who will be able to advise you on whether Ibuprofen is suitable for you (medication similar to Ibuprofen include Aspirin, Naproxen and Diclofenac)

**What do we mean by severe pain? Inability to sleep; always there and so bad it’s hard to think or talk; it’s very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress

NHS UK - Back Pain

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/