Back pain is extremely common in people of all ages. Normally it will resolve itself within a couple of weeks or months but patients can also experience life-long symptoms of back pain. It can be felt anywhere in the back and can occur for various different reasons.
There are many different ways to relieve and treat back pain but to also reduce it from coming back.
• Staying fit and healthy
• Improving your posture
• Knowing your limit and not performing over-strenuous activities
• Being active and stretching your back and body. This can be done by walking, running, stretching, swimming, yoga, Pilates and much more.
• Taking anti-inflammatory painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen
• Using heat or cooling compressors to the area of pain
• Using a supportive mattress
If none of the above have worked and you are still experiencing pain and it is worsening and starting to affect your day to day activities then it may be worth a visit to your GP as there could be an underlying issue. Your GP will examine you, talk through your medical history and see if other ways of therapy could help. You may even be asked to have a scan like an X‑ray or MRI to check if anything is causing the back pain specifically.
The causes of back pain obviously differ but they are also very non-specific. It can be due to strain or injury, an accident or simply not being active enough. But there can be medical reasons like a slipped disc or even sciatica. These symptoms will be accompanied by more than just back pain, for example you may be experiencing tingling, weakness, numbness and pain radiating to the arms or legs.
It is important to seek urgent medical advice if you are experiencing these symptoms:
• Numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttock area
• Bladder or bowel incontinence
• High temperature
• Chest pain
• Swelling or deformity in the back
• If you have been in a serious accident
• If your back pain is not improving or getting significantly worse
The spinal team based at Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for a range of Spinal conditions. They see patients with all types of back pain related problems and conditions. Even though back pain is common, there can be underlying issues that you may not be aware of. If your back pain and its symptoms are getting in the way of life and not resolving then it is important to get a second opinion.
The Spinal multidisciplinary team at Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells includes Consultant Neurosurgeon’s Mr Gordon Grahovac and Mr Christos Tolias, both leading surgeon’s in their field.
If you are suffering with back pain and would like to book an appointment with one of the specialist Spinal Consultants at Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells, then call on 01892 882434
or email tu_custenq@nuffieldhealth.com
www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-christos-tolias
www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-gordan-grahovac
