Back Pain Treatment

When to book back pain treatment

Come in for advice if you have:

• A dull, persistent ache in the lower back
• Sharp or stabbing pain when moving, bending or lifting
• Stiffness and reduced movement
• Muscle spasms or tightness
• Pain radiating down one or both legs, which may suggest sciatica
• Difficulty standing up straight or sitting comfortably

See a GP if pain has not improved after several weeks of self-care, is stopping you doing everyday things, is getting progressively worse, comes with unexplained weight loss, involves a lump or swelling in the back, is worse at night or at rest, or started after a serious injury.

Call 999 or go to A&E if you have numbness or tingling in both legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the genitals or buttocks. These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome, which needs urgent treatment.

What causes back pain?

Most back pain comes from a minor strain or sprain rather than a serious condition. Common causes include:

• Muscle or ligament strain from lifting, twisting or overstretching
• Poor posture, particularly from long periods at a desk
• Lack of activity, or a sudden increase in exercise
• Stress and tension tightening the muscles
• A slipped (herniated) disc
• Sciatica, where the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed
• Arthritis or age-related wear and tear of the spine

In many cases no specific cause is found. This is non-specific back pain, the most common type, and it usually improves within a few weeks.

Self-care for back pain

• Stay active - gentle movement and walking ease stiffness and speed recovery. Avoid prolonged bed rest, which makes back pain worse
• Apply a wrapped ice pack for up to 20 minutes to reduce inflammation
• Use a heat pack or hot water bottle for muscle stiffness and spasm
• Take anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen if suitable. Paracetamol alone is not recommended for back pain
• Try gentle stretching, yoga or pilates to strengthen the muscles supporting your back
• Maintain good posture when sitting, standing and lifting
• Sleep on a firm, supportive mattress

Treatment options

• Over-the-counter painkillers - ibuprofen, naproxen and co-codamol for mild to moderate pain
• Topical pain relief - gels and creams containing ibuprofen or diclofenac applied directly to the area
• Prescription medication - stronger painkillers or muscle relaxants from your GP or our independent prescribing pharmacists
• Physiotherapy - exercises and manual therapy to improve movement and reduce pain
• Lifestyle changes - regular exercise, weight management and ergonomic adjustments at work to prevent recurrence

Find back pain treatment near you

No appointment needed at many branches. Trained pharmacists to assess your symptoms, a full range of over-the-counter and pharmacy-only pain relief, independent prescribers at selected locations, and GP referral if further investigation is needed. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy.