For Children
Children do not experience back pain as often as adults. Children with back pain should be assessed by our GPs prior to seeing any paediatric physiotherapist.
For all ages
Back pain is EXTREMELY common in adult populations, especially lower back pain. Physiotherapists are often the most appropriate person to see these patients as they can work on muscular exercises that can strengthen, improve symptoms and prevent further injury. FCP (first contact practitioners) physios can see these patients, only if they haven’t been seen before by our GPs.
Pain relief is often required for back pain, and this can be arranged by both pharmacists and our GPs.
The NHS has some advice for patients with back pain.
Red flag symptoms with back pain
Urinary tract infections can often cause pain in the back. This is often associated with pain or burning/stinging while urinating. Patients who experience this should be triaged with the UTI POSTcard instead.
Urinary incontinence is when you leak urine (pee) accidentally, or you have lost control of your bladder. This is abnormal and should be investigated.
Faecal incontinence is when you leak poo accidentally, or lose control of your bowels. This is abnormal and should be investigated.
Back pain that is worse when coughing, sneezing or pooing can be a more severe type of back pain that needs further investigation.
Losing weight without trying (e.g. not exercising more or eating more healthily but still losing weight) is sometimes the first sign of cancer or other serious illness. Anyone with this symptom should be seen promptly so that we can investigate further.