Back pain: when should you see a doctor?

Back pain is common and often improves over time. Staying gently active and adjusting daily activities can be helpful for many non-specific symptoms. However, some situations require medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention

Obtain urgent help if back pain occurs together with:

• new loss of bladder or bowel control
• numbness around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
• marked or rapidly increasing weakness in one or both legs
• severe symptoms after a significant accident or fall

These signs can indicate a condition that needs prompt evaluation.

Arrange a medical assessment

• Severe or persistent pain: seek advice if symptoms are very severe, continue without improvement or increasingly limit daily life.
• Pain after injury: assessment may be needed after a fall, accident or other significant trauma.
• Numbness, tingling or weakness: neurological symptoms, particularly when new or worsening, should be evaluated.
• General symptoms: fever, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, pronounced night sweats or feeling generally unwell require medical advice.
• Relevant health conditions: seek timely advice for new or worsening back pain if you have osteoporosis, a history of cancer, significant immune suppression or an inflammatory condition.
• Night pain or symptoms at rest: discuss symptoms that are unusual for you or do not ease with a change of position.

A healthcare professional can take a history, examine you and decide whether further tests are needed. Many cases can be managed conservatively with advice, appropriate activity, physiotherapy or medication, but treatment depends on the individual situation.

If you are uncertain about new, severe or worsening symptoms, seek professional medical advice rather than trying to diagnose the cause yourself.