You’ve probably experienced back pain at some point in your life. If you haven’t already, chances are you will have back pain at some point. Back pain, particularly lower back pain, can be both widespread and debilitating. Although it’s rarely serious and typically improves within a few weeks, back pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to severe.
Back pain is a global problem that can affect anyone of any age. There are many causes of back pain, but it’s not always possible to identify the cause.
On this page, we review some of the most common causes of back pain and their symptoms. We also provide an overview of back pain treatments at Circle Health Group’s The Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke.
Your back is made up of several different structures that all work together to support your body. The spine plays a critical role in protecting your spinal cord and supporting your head, shoulders and upper body.
Your spine has 24 moveable bones called vertebrae that sit on top of each other. They are separated by intervertebral discs and surrounded by muscles and ligaments that provide support. Between the back of the vertebrae are small joints called facet joints, which are cushioned by cartilage. The facet joints help the spine move.
There are four sections of the spine:
- Cervical spine – this segment comprises seven small vertebrae that begin at the base of the skull and end at the upper chest
- Thoracic spine – this section of the spine has 12 larger vertebrae that run from the upper chest to the middle of the back
- Lumbar spine – the lumbar spine is made up of five large vertebrae that form the curve of the lower back
- Sacrum and coccyx – the sacrum is a flat, triangular bone located between your hips, and the coccyx is a bony structure at the end of the spine, commonly referred to as the tail bone
There are many different types of back pain, depending on the location of the pain and its cause. Back pain is highly personal — it can vary greatly from person to person.
Back pain can come on suddenly after a specific movement or a fall, or it could come on gradually for no apparent cause. It might feel like an intense, shooting pain, or it may be a dull ache.
Pain is classified by its duration. Back pain that has lasted less than six weeks is called ‘acute pain’, pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks is called ‘chronic pain’ and anything in between is called ‘sub-acute pain’.
You can feel back pain in your neck, upper back, shoulders, chest, ribcage and lower back.
Lower back pain is extremely common. Lower back pain can radiate into other parts of the body, including the buttocks, thighs and down the legs. Although there are just five vertebrae in the lower back, they are the largest.
These vertebrae connect your spine to your pelvis. They support the weight of your upper body and are susceptible to wear and tear, overuse and injury.
There are many reasons you might experience back pain. Poor posture, sitting down for too long, twisting motions or incorrect lifting can all lead to back pain. Our spines also age with us and are susceptible to degenerative changes and stiffness.
It’s not always possible to identify the cause of back pain. If you’ve had a clinical investigation and there is still no identifiable physical cause for pain, it is called non-specific back pain. Non-specific back pain is very common, and it is likely a result of psychological stress.
Mechanical causes of back pain
Due to the back’s complexity, back pain usually results from a mechanical or structural problem with the vertebral discs, muscles, tendons, ligaments or tendons.
Some of the mechanical causes of back pain include:
- Sprain or strain – a sprain is a ligament injury, whereas a strain is a muscle or tendon injury
- Spondylosis – as we age, the tendons and discs of the spine begin to wear down, causing the facet joints to rub against each other. The wear and tear on the facet joints is called osteoarthritis (OA)
- Spondylolisthesis – when one of the vertebrae becomes displaced in the spinal column, it is called spondylolisthesis. This can happen as a result of ageing or traumatic injury
- Spinal stenosis – osteoarthritis and other degenerative effects of ageing can cause the spinal column to narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves
- Herniated (slipped) disk – also called a bulging disc, this is when the outside of the disc is compressed or ruptured, allowing the jelly-like centre (nucleus) of the disc to protrude against the spinal column putting pressure on the nerves
- Sciatica – when a herniated disc in the lower back bulges against the nerve leading down into the leg and foot, it causes pain, numbness, and pins and needles down the buttock and legs
- Fracture – compression fractures are more common as we get older and can result from osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become weaker and more brittle
- Scoliosis – this is an abnormal curvature of the spine. It most commonly occurs in children and teenagers, but also it can develop in older adults with arthritis
Medical causes
Less commonly, back pain can be caused by other medical conditions.
Possible medical causes of back pain include:
- Ankylosing spondylitis – this is a type of inflammatory arthritis that specifically affects the spine
- Cauda equina syndrome – the cauda equina nerve bundle controls the lower limbs and pelvic organs. When these nerves are damaged or compressed, symptoms can include leg pain, numbness in the pelvic region, incontinence and weakness in the legs
- Kidney problems – kidney stones or infections can sometimes be felt as back pain
- Some types of cancer – tumours that press against the spine or other areas of the back may cause back pain
There are several reasons why women experience lower back pain more frequently than men:
- Pregnancy – pregnant women frequently experience back pain due to rapid weight gain, posture changes, stress and changing hormones
- Menstruation – dysmenorrhea is when women experience intense or frequent cramping during menstruation. This pain can also be felt in the lower back
- Endometriosis – this gynaecological disorder causes uterine tissue to grow outside the womb. One of the symptoms is lower back pain, especially during menstruation
- Menopause – after menopause, women’s lumbar discs degenerate faster than men’s
- Osteoporosis –women are more susceptible to osteoporosis, which can cause spinal fractures
Lower back pain in women can be caused by lots of different conditions and underlying factors.
Most of the time, back pain gets better after a few days or weeks.
However, you should see a doctor if your pain:
- Has not improved after a few weeks
- Is severe
- Gets worse over time
- Prevents you from doing your day-to-day activities
If you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to back pain, you should seek immediate medical advice by calling 111 or seeing your GP:
- Pain that started after a fall or accident
- Fever
- Chills
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness in your genitals or buttocks
There are many remedies for back pain, including things you can do at home, painkillers and medical treatments.
How to help back pain at home
Many cases of back pain can be effectively treated at home. The most important thing you can do is to stay active. This ensures that the muscles around the spine remain active and able to support your bones and joints.
- Take a brief rest from strenuous activities or motions that cause pain
- Take over-the-counter painkillers, particularly ibuprofen, to help with pain relief and inflammation
- Try alternating ice packs and heat compresses
- Do gentle back exercises and stretches
Medical treatment of back pain
If your pain does not improve with treatments at home, your doctor might recommend additional medical treatments.
Medical treatment of back pain could include:
- Prescription medications – these include prescription-strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), codeine and muscle relaxants
- Physiotherapy – a specialised physiotherapy programme can improve flexibility and strength and ease pain
- Acupuncture – acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy where fine needles are inserted into specific points of the body. It can be an effective treatment of stress and back pain
- Bracing – for some types of pain, a brace (most commonly a corset or lumbar belt) is worn for comfort and stability
- Spinal injections – steroid injections of cortisone into the spinal cord can help for sciatica when painkillers or other therapies are not enough
- Manual therapy – this can include spinal manipulation, soft-tissue massage or hands-on movement to the lower back, typically performed by an osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist
The more suitable medical treatment for you will depend on the cause and severity of your back pain.
Surgical options for back pain
Back surgery is only recommended when there is a clear medical cause of the pain and non-surgical treatments have not helped.
Surgery cannot correct every type of back pain, so you might not be a candidate for surgery even if all other treatments have been tried and failed. Some reasons for back surgery can include back injuries, spinal stenosis or herniated discs.
All surgical procedures come with some risks, so you should discuss the benefits and risks of any surgical procedure with your surgeon before deciding to proceed with the recommended operation.
It’s not always possible to avoid back pain, but there are some general measures you can take to support your back health.
- Try to maintain good posture while sitting at home or work and get up for frequent breaks
- Make frequent stops when driving long distances and consider back support for your seat
- Wear supportive footwear with low heels
- Limit the amount of weight you carry and learn safe lifting techniques
- Maintain a healthy weight to avoid extra stress on your joints and strain to your back
- Ensure your mattress supports you properly. When sleeping on your side, use a pillow between your legs. If sleeping on your back, put a pillow under your knees
- Perform regular exercises to keep your back strong
Many forms of exercise can help keep the back strong and healthy. Try to find a type of exercise that you enjoy doing so that you can make it a part of your regular routine.
Swimming, yoga, pilates, tai chi, walking and going to the gym are all beneficial for people with back pain.
The Hampshire Clinic offers private treatment for individuals with back pain from Basingstoke, Hampshire and Newbury.
At The Hampshire Clinic, there is a range of effective treatments for back pain, including private physiotherapy, spinal injections, chronic pain management and spinal surgery.
Personalised back pain treatment
On your first visit, your consultant will assess your pain and refer you for any imaging tests, so you don’t have to wait for a diagnosis. Our on-site imaging department has the latest diagnostic equipment.
A multidisciplinary team of specialists, including radiologists, nurses, physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons will work together to confirm your diagnosis and create a tailored treatment programme that combines complementary therapies.
Private physiotherapy treatments
Getting tailored exercises and physical therapy from a specialist in back pain is one of the most effective treatments for acute and chronic back pain.
We offer treatments in a modern, purpose-built physiotherapy complex which includes seven private treatment rooms, a well-equipped physio gym and a large hydrotherapy pool.
All of our physiotherapists are registered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) and Health Professions Council (HPC).
The Hampshire Clinic offers the following private physiotherapy treatments:
- Acupuncture physiotherapy can be used on its own or alongside physiotherapy to treat back pain
- Bracing can help with rehabilitation and returning to sports activities
- Chronic pain management is physiotherapy for patients with long-term pain that has failed to respond to other treatments. It includes coping strategies to help patients improve their quality of life
- Hydrotherapy is offered in a warm water pool. Also called aquatic therapy, the warm water can help reduce pain and aid rehabilitation
- Occupational health focuses on treating work-related problems and helps educate patients on avoiding future injury on the job
- Physiotherapy for sports injuries treats muscle, joint and nerve problems caused by a sports or exercise-related injury
- Pilates is a low-impact exercise that focuses on strengthening the back and core muscles and improving balance
Surgical spinal treatments
An orthopaedic surgeon will perform a physical examination to determine if a mechanical problem is causing your pain. Surgery can be helpful for medical conditions such as spinal stenosis, slipped discs and spondylolisthesis.
The Hampshire Clinic offers the following surgical treatments:
- Spinal anaesthetic injection – an anaesthetic injection into a space near your spinal cord provides temporary relief from pain
- Lumbar spinal decompression surgery – your surgeon will remove the bony arches in your back called lamina to make space for the nerves in your spine
- Lumbar laminectomy – this surgery treats spinal stenosis by removing the section of your bone that is putting pressure on your nerves
- Lumbar discectomy – in this procedure, a surgeon will remove a section of your damaged disc that is putting pressure on your nerves
- Spinal fusion surgery – this surgery helps treat spondylolisthesis (when a vertebrae is misaligned) by fusing two or more vertebrae together with a bone graft
Back pain can range from mild and uncomfortable pain that affects you for a short time to intense and debilitating pain that can cause you to take time off work, or even lead to longer-term disability.
It’s important to understand that pain is personal, and even if your pain feels severe, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a serious problem that requires surgery. Although it can be challenging to stay positive when in pain, it’s helpful to be optimistic about your outlook. Individuals who remain optimistic about their outcomes generally recover faster.
If you have severe pain that prevents you from doing your day-to-day activities or chronic pain that negatively impacts your quality of life, there are treatments that can help. At The Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke, we offer a range of private physiotherapy options and surgical treatments that can help ease your pain.
Contact The Hampshire Clinic today to arrange a consultation to discuss your back pain. Appointments are typically offered within 48 hours of receiving a referral.
How to find us
The Hampshire Clinic can be found at Basing Road, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 7AL.
Book an appointment online today or call us at 01256 809510.
