Back pain
Around 80% of people in the Netherlands deal with lower back pain at some point. If you are one of them right now, you are in very ordinary company.
What it feels like
Pain in your lower back, between your lowest ribs and your pelvis. It can radiate into your buttock, hip or part of your leg. It often gets in the way of work, sport or simply turning over in bed.
Acute or long-standing
Acute back pain comes on suddenly, often after lifting something awkwardly. In most cases there is no damage in your back, even though it can certainly feel that way.
Long-standing pain has been there a while. That says something about how long it has lasted, not about how long it will continue.
What to expect
Most acute back pain settles within a few weeks, often without any treatment at all. Where treatment helps is in getting you moving again sooner, and in working out what is holding up your recovery if it is taking longer than it should.
What you can do yourself
- Keep moving. Bed rest is outdated advice and slows recovery down.
- Carry on with your daily activities, at a lower pace if you need to.
- Change position often. Sitting or standing still for long stretches is usually worse than moving.
- Do not be afraid of your back. Pain does not mean something is breaking.
When to call a doctor straight away
Contact a doctor immediately if you have trouble passing urine or controlling your bowels, numbness around your saddle area or genitals, or rapidly increasing weakness in a leg. Also call after a fall or accident, with fever, or if pain consistently wakes you at night.
Ready to book?
No referral needed. We treat in English at both locations.