Back pain is most commonly felt as soreness, tension or stiffness in the lower back (the area between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs) but it can also be felt in the neck, shoulders, buttocks and thighs.
The pain sometimes develops suddenly after lifting something heavy or twisting your back awkwardly, or it can develop gradually as a result of years of poor posture.
Sometimes the pain develops for no apparent reason. Some people just wake up one day with a sore back. Typically, the pain eases when you lie down flat, whereas moving, coughing or sneezing makes it worse.
When to get medical help
Most cases of back pain usually improve without you having to get medical help, but if your condition does not get any better within three days see your GP. You should also see your GP if you suffer regular episodes of back pain for more than six weeks.
There are several warning signs, known as red flag signs, that may indicate that your back pain is caused by a more serious condition that requires immediate medical help. These include:
- a fever of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
- unexplained weight loss
- swelling of the back
- constant back pain that does not ease after lying down
- pain in your chest or high up in your back
- pain down your legs and below the knees
- pain caused by a recent trauma or injury to your back
- loss of bladder control
- inability to pass urine
- loss of bowel control
- numbness around your genitals, buttocks or back passage
- pain that is worse at night
If you have any of these signs, see your GP straight away. If this is not possible, telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Other types of back pain
Pain in the upper back, legs, neck and shoulders can also be felt as back pain but it may be caused by another condition:
- pain in the lower back that moves down the buttocks into one or both of the legs may be a symptom of sciatica
- soreness in the lower back, muscle weakness, tight muscles and loss of bladder control may be the result of a slipped disc
- back pain, buttock pain, swollen joints and tendons and extreme tiredness are common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
- pain in the joints (including the back) when walking and stiffness first thing in the morning are symptoms of arthritis
- painful stiffness of the shoulder, which makes it very difficult to dress, drive or sleep, may be a sign of frozen shoulder
- neck pain and stiffness, headaches and lower back pain following an accident are common symptoms of whiplash
Find out about the causes of back pain.
