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Back Pain

Get Help with Back Pain at Whitworth Walk In Clinic

Struggling with back pain? Feeling frustrated, overwhelmed or struggling to live a normal life?

Back pain is a common health complaint that everyone experiences at some point in their life. The pain is most commonly experienced in the lower back but can be experienced anywhere on the back.

 

It usually improves without treatment within a few weeks or months and is rarely anything to worry about.

Book your Walk In Clinic appointment for back pain today.

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What causes back pain?

We can divide back pain into two main types:

Non-specific: This is the types of back pain that doesn’t have an obvious cause. The pain may come and go, especially when you move or change position. It can develop suddenly or gradually and is usually caused by poor lifting, poor posture or strain during exercise. This type often feels better within a few weeks.

 

Mechanical: Mechanical back pain is caused by a problem with the spine, joints, bones, muscles or soft tissues. This can include a slipped disc, sciatica, ankylosing spondylitis or spondylolisthesis.

 

Occasionally it can be caused by something more serious such as an infection, a broken bone in the spine, cauda equina syndrome or cancer. However, this is very rare.

 

How is back pain treated?

Most back pain will resolve itself. Staying active by walking or swimming or doing stretching and strengthening exercises like Pilates and Yoga can also help. You can also try applying hot or cold treatments or taking warm baths to relax.

 

There are also certain medications you can take to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort or pain. This includes taking ibuprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Codeine is a stronger painkiller that can also help. If your back pain includes muscle spasms, you might be prescribed a muscle relaxant too.

 

When should you see your pharmacist or GP?

If your pain isn’t getting better or is getting worse, it’s time to visit your pharmacist or GP.

They will be able to suggest treatment options including pain killers or physiotherapy or refer you to a specialist.

 

Seek urgent medical advice if you also have:

• Weakness, paralysis or lack of sensation in your arms or legs

• Numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks

• A swelling or a deformity in your back

• Your pain doesn't improve after resting or is worse at night

• Incontinence (inability to control your urine or stools)

• Difficulty urinating

• Pain after an accident or fall

• Fever

Frequently asked questions about back pain:

  • Back pain can be caused by sleeping awkwardly, lifting incorrectly, arthritis or osteoporosis, injured, herniated or ruptured discs, stress, fibromyalgia and injury.

  • The best way to ease back pain is to use over the counter medicine, heat and ice and keep moving. Also make sure you stretch frequently and maintain good posture.

  • Relieve your back pain quickly by visiting our Walk-in Clinic for advice on the best painkillers to use. Also, stretch and use hot or cold treatments.

  • If your pain doesn’t improve (even when taking pain killers), it’s severe, it gets worse or stops you from living a normal life, seek help from our Walk In Clinic or GP.

  • Back pain can be a sign of something serious if it happens after an accident, you have numbness, tingling or weakness, you’re having problems using the bathroom or you’re still in pain after a week.

Ease your back pain

Make your Walk In Clinic Appointment today at your local Whitworth pharmacy.

Click here to find you nearest pharmacy.