Back pain what do

There are things you can do to help relieve it. But sometimes the pain can last a long time or keep coming back. The following tips may help reduce your back pain and speed up your recovery:.

Although it can be difficult, it helps if you stay optimistic and recognise that your pain should get better. People who manage to stay positive despite their pain tend to recover quicker. Back pain usually gets better on its own within a few weeks or months and you may not need to see a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you see a GP they will ask about your symptoms, examine your back and discuss possible treatments.

They may refer you to a specialist doctor or a physiotherapist for further help. Alternatively, you may want to consider contacting a physiotherapist directly. Some NHS physiotherapists accept appointments without a doctor's referral, or you could choose to pay for private treatment. Read more about how to get access to physiotherapy.

Maintaining a healthy weight could also help lessen your back pain by reducing the pressure on your spine. Take a break when mowing the lawn, or make several trips when carrying groceries. Take note of the activities that worsen your pain and avoid them if possible. Not only could this help your back feel better, it could also prevent the underlying condition from advancing.

Another important lifestyle change to try is giving up smoking. Nicotine is scientifically known to accentuate pain and delay healing. Nerve blocks , epidural steroid injections , nerve ablations and other types of injection-based procedures are available for chronic back pain. Acupuncture, massage, biofeedback therapy , laser therapy, electrical nerve stimulation and other nonsurgical spine treatments can also make a difference for chronic back pain. Talk to your spine specialist about alternative treatments that could benefit you.

Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and other medications can be used to help control chronic back pain. However, most come with unwanted side effects and are not intended for prolonged use. Opioids should be prescribed only after a thorough exam by a specialist and if other drugs have failed to provide relief.

Problems are caused when something presses on the small space in the middle of the spine, where the nerves are. This space, which is called the spinal canal or nerve root canal, can be squeezed by bone or ligament. Symptoms often affect both legs, but one may be worse than the other. The pain usually gets better when you sit down and rest, and some people find they have less pain if they walk a little stooped. Like sciatica, the main problem tends to be leg pain more than the back pain.

In most cases, neither sciatica nor spinal stenosis are serious problems. However, if the symptoms cause you a lot of trouble and greatly affect your quality of life then you should see your doctor for further advice and to discuss what else can be done.

Even though it's common, most cases of back pain tend to clear up without the need to see a doctor. You should also see your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, for example, being unable to get an erection.

If the pain is causing you significant problems and stops you from getting on with normal life and work activities, your doctor will examine you and ask you questions.

These questions will help predict how likely it is that you need further help with your back pain. If you do need further support, your doctor will make a referral to physiotherapy so that you can have treatment early, to help with the pain and return to normal activities.

However, specialists may not be able to tell you for certain what has caused your back pain, even after carefully assessing you. The above symptoms could potentially be linked to a rare but serious condition that needs urgent medical attention.

Should you need further treatment, your GP will be able to assess your back pain by discussing your symptoms with you. Changes to the spine as a result of spondylosis can show up on x-rays.

These common changes that happen to us all can appear on x-rays without people having any pain or problems. Remember that sometimes even after a thorough investigation it might not be possible to say for certain what is causing back pain. The most important things to do to treat back pain is to keep moving, continue with everyday activities and have a healthy lifestyle.

Some people worry that if they have back pain, doing certain activities such as lifting things, twisting and turning might make their back pain worse. Being active and continuing with your everyday activities as soon as possible, and as much as possible, will speed up your recovery.

The more positive you are, the more active you are, the quicker your back will get better. Keeping the muscles around the spine strong, will provide more support to the bones and joints and take pressure off them. The more you move, the more the back will keep its natural range of movement. If you stop being active for a long time, the muscles in your back become weak and you become less fit, and this can make your back pain worse. Not moving can make your back more stiff and painful.

Regular exercise leads to shorter and less frequent episodes of back pain. These improve pain and make you feel happier. If you're getting back to exercise, start off gently and gradually increase the amount of exercise you do. Regular and small episodes of exercise is a good way to start and then each day try to do a little bit more.

Try taking some painkillers beforehand too. Over time, your back will get stronger and more flexible, and this should reduce pain. There are many forms of exercise that have helped people with back pain.

Examples include:. Research has found that a specially developed week yoga programme can help people with low back pain lead more active lives and manage their condition more effectively. Many of the people who took part in the study also found that they had the knowledge to prevent further attacks if they felt an episode of back pain coming on. You can find more information about the week programme at www. You can find some examples of exercises you might like to try to reduce your pain on our exercises for the back page.

You may feel some discomfort and sometimes pain when you exercise. This feeling is normal and should calm down a few minutes after you finish. Exercise will help reduce pain and can help you manage your back pain better. The key is to start off gently and to gradually increase the amount you do. Often people stop exercising once their back pain has cleared up. If you're a member of a gym, there may well be personal trainers there who can give you expert advice. Make sure you tell them about your condition.

Simple painkillers such as paracetamol may help to reduce symptoms and allow you to continue with your everyday activities. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, which you can buy at chemists and supermarkets, can also help. However, if they do help but the pain returns when you stop taking them, you could try another short course. There are also anti-inflammatory creams or gels that can be rubbed onto affected areas.

If you have any questions or concerns about what drugs you can take and the dosage, talk to a doctor or a pharmacist. Read our treatments section for more information. Applying a heat pack to the affected area can ease pain and stiffness. You can use a reusable heat pad which you can buy from chemists and sports shops, a microwavable wheat bag or a hot-water bottle.

Make sure you protect your skin from direct contact with heat or ice packs to avoid burns or irritation of your skin. A tea towel over the heat or ice pack is one way to do that. Read the instructions carefully if you have bought a heat or ice therapy product. Applying ice or heat for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time is normally enough. Try to maintain good posture when sitting at home, at work or in the car.