Do's
1. Know that your pain is REAL
Long-lasting pain is very complex and often not related to a specific injury or damage. This can lead to people feeling that they have not been believed. Similar to other long-lasting conditions like heart disease or diabetes there are many factors which will influence pain. These include things like your activity levels and fitness, general health, sleep quality, mental wellbeing and social functioning.
2. Stay active
There is no best exercise for people with long-lasting low back problems (low back pain and, or low back related leg pain) so choose activities which you enjoy. The important message is that there is no amount of exercise that is too little. While more is better, a little goes a long way! Over time, regular exercise can help to control your pain as well as improve sleep and mental wellbeing. To make activities more social, consider getting involved in community initiatives such as a local walking group or a parkrun.
See our BACKTracks and NHS fitness studio for some practical approaches.
3. Sit and move in a variety of ways
A variety of postures are healthy for the back. It is safe to relax during everyday tasks such as sitting, bending and lifting with a round back if it’s tolerated. Common warnings to protect the spine are not evidence-informed and can lead to fear.
4. Focus on meaningful life activities
Low back problems can be all consuming. It can be difficult to focus on other things. Rather than simply trying to reduce pain, focus on activities that bring value to your life. This might include things like going for a walk on the beach, playing with grandchildren, going for a meal with a friend or returning to work.
It is important to realise that it is possible to live a meaningful life while still having pain. When we use all our resources to try and get rid of pain we have little left for anything else.
5. Maintain your social relationships
Many people with low back problems feel isolated. They stop going out with friends, they are unable to work. Feeling lonely can have a negative effect on your mood, sleep and activity levels and can therefore worsen your pain in the long term. Seek out and nurture relationships that are important to you. Think about joining a group or a class in line with your hobbies. Talk openly with your family, friends and employers about your issues and worries.
For further information please consult your health professional or visit our website: Back pain triage and treat website
Don'ts
1. Blame yourself or ‘fight’ your pain
Pain is not a sign of weakness. Pain can affect people of all ages. It is easy to get trapped in a vicious cycle whereby attempts to ‘fight’ the pain lead to flare ups. Regular flare ups are associated with lower levels of activity, lower mood, disturbed sleep, frustration and more reliance on medications. A better approach is to reflect on what you can control. Things like your attitude and consistency to exercise over time. By sticking to your plan in a flexible way you can work towards achieving goals in a gradual and steady manner.
2. Assume long-lasting pain always means damage
Think of spraining your ankle – the pain is helpful in the short term so you don’t jump or run on it too soon and worsen the injury. Given sufficient time and a graded approach to movement, tissues heal and pain resolves. Issues arise when pain persists beyond the expected tissue healing time. Your body can protect you from certain movements or activities even when the tissues of your low back (muscles, ligaments, joints) no longer require it.
3. Rush or panic if you flare up
Peoples journey with pain is often full of ups and downs. People typically describe these as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ days. This is quite normal. Rather than seeing pain flare ups as a setback, they are often a useful time to reflect on situations and identify potential ‘triggers’ – did you have a bad night’s sleep?, perhaps you did more activity than usual?, was work especially stressful? The point is that flare ups can be seen as a learning opportunity.
4. Believe everything you hear or read
When people are in pain, it is very understandable that they will ‘try anything’. On a daily basis we hear many claims in the media and on the internet about the best treatments for people with pain. Often these claims are not backed up by any research evidence and instead rely on “testimonials”. At best, some of these untested treatments will be a waste of money; at worst, they may be harmful depending on the type of treatment offered. Usually, there is no simple solution for a complex problem so be wary of anyone offering a quick fix.
For further information please consult your health professional or visit our website: Back pain triage and treat website
5. Rely on scans to tell the whole story
Scans such as X-rays, MRIs or CTs are useful in a small number of people. They are especially helpful when we suspect a person’s low back problem is due to a serious medical condition or for surgical planning. Thankfully, these conditions are rare and an assessment with your specialist or physiotherapist will help determine if you require a scan.
For the majority of people, scans are often unnecessary and do not influence treatment plans. These days, scans are so detailed that they show lots of changes even in people without pain. For example, 40% of people over the age of 30 and 50% of people over the age of 40 have lumbar spine disc bulges on MRI. So, it’s important that we don’t always assume that what we see on the scan is relevant for that individual. It often isn’t as scary as it sounds.
For further information please consult your health professional or visit the Back pain triage and treat website.
Contact us
For further information please contact the Low Back Pain Triage and Treat Service:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01642 944703
Available: Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 4.30pm (except bank holidays)
Content adapted with permission from Dr Derek Griffin and Professor Peter O’Sullivan.
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the patient experience department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print by emailing: [email protected]