OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.
Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who has pain at the bottom of their spine.
1
Q) I HAVE had really bad pain at the bottom of my spine and feel like I have a tight band around my stomach.
When I sit down my husband has to help me up.
I’ve been complaining to my doctors for several years.
They keep sending me to a physio but it does not work.
I am putting on weight, which I hate, but walking is becoming painful.
A) It’s difficult to be certain what the underlying condition is based on these symptoms alone, but it’s clear that it needs further investigation beyond physiotherapy.
Persistent pain like this warrants a thorough reassessment, possibly including imaging studies, to identify any structural issues or nerve involvement.
I recommend returning to your GP and requesting a referral to the musculoskeletal team at your local hospital.
This is a team of advanced physiotherapists who work alongside rheumatologists and orthopaedic specialists.
If walking is becoming difficult, you can try low-impact exercises, such as swimming, yoga or cycling.
There are lots of NHS back pain exercise videos online that you can use for free.
And if losing a small amount of weight is feasible for you, then this can make a big difference to alleviating lower back pain.
Tip
TIP: Do you struggle to sleep at night?
Next time you’re wide awake, get up and out of bed and do an activity, such as reading, for 15 minutes or until you feel sleepy.
Lying awake worrying about sleep will not help.
E-mail Dr Zoe: [email protected]
