Back pain · Patient guide
Lower back pain: what to do and when to get help
Understand the warning signs, explore sensible first steps and know what to expect from an assessment.
General information to help you prepare for a conversation about your care. It cannot diagnose symptoms or replace an individual assessment.
When to get medical help
Call 999 or go to A&E for back pain with new bladder or bowel changes, numbness around your genitals or anus, symptoms affecting both legs, changes in sexual sensation or function, or chest pain. The same applies after a serious accident. Do not drive yourself to A&E.
Seek an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if pain becomes severe suddenly, worsens quickly, or you feel feverish, shivery or generally unwell.
These are not the only reasons to seek advice. Read the full NHS back-pain guidance.
Finding a manageable starting point
Lower back pain is common and often settles within a few weeks, but symptoms can last longer or return. Try to keep up manageable everyday activities rather than spending long periods in bed. If an exercise makes your pain worse, stop and seek advice.
There is no single perfect posture to hold all day. Changing position and breaking up long periods of sitting may feel more comfortable. A helpful starting question is: which movements feel manageable today? NHS inform explains movement and back pain.
Arrange GP advice if pain persists, affects daily life, worries you, occurs with unexplained weight loss or is worse at night.
What an assessment with Kasia may involve
At PhysioZone Klinic in Worcester, the starting point is your story: when symptoms began, previous episodes or injuries, your health history and what you would like to get back to. You might want to walk more comfortably, manage work or return to a favourite activity.
Kasia tailors physical checks to your symptoms. These may include movement, posture, strength and how different parts of your body work together. She explains the findings and discusses whether physiotherapy or medical advice is the appropriate next step.
A scan is not automatically needed for lower back pain. NICE advises against routine imaging in non-specialist care; decisions about further investigation depend on the clinical situation.
A plan built around your day-to-day life
Advice and exercises should fit your assessment and goals. NICE recommends that manual therapy for low back pain, when offered, is part of a package including exercise—not a standalone solution. It advises against acupuncture for low back pain, with or without sciatica.
Kasia’s approach combines appropriate hands-on care with practical rehabilitation guidance. There is no promised number of appointments or guaranteed recovery date. Bring comfortable clothing and details of your medicines and medical history so you can discuss your options together.
Explore physiotherapy at the clinic. If your symptoms relate to sport or training, read about sports injury physiotherapy in Worcester.
Sources & further reading
Originally published on the clinic’s former website on . This updated guide replaces the earlier article at the same article path.