What it is
It usually gets better within a few weeks or months. Painkillers, a special cushion and avoiding sitting for long periods help.
If pain continues, physiotherapy, injections or, rarely, surgery may be offered.
Common signs
- Pain at the base of the spine
- Pain worse when sitting or leaning back
- Pain when getting up from sitting
- Pain during bowel movements or sex
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions about symptoms and an examination
- Sometimes an X-ray or MRI scan
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- GP or physiotherapy notes
- X-ray or MRI reports
- Pain clinic letters
Questions to ask your doctor
- What can help me sit more comfortably?
- How long is it likely to last?
- When would an injection be considered?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Numbness around the bottom, loss of bladder or bowel control, or a fever with swelling at the base of the spine: get urgent help, call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.