Condition guide
Back Pain
Lower back pain or strain? Find effective relief for back pain and muscle strain.
Find the right medicineTreatment and relief options
- Anti-inflammatory medicines (tablets, or gels applied to the skin) may help relieve back pain; paracetamol can also help
- Keep moving - bed rest can make it worse
- Heat packs for muscle spasms (after first 48h)
- Gentle stretching exercises
- Check posture and lifting technique
When to get help
- Loss of bladder or bowel control (Emergency!)
- Numbness in groin or buttocks (saddle anaesthesia)
- Weakness or numbness in legs
- Pain after a serious accident or injury: call Triple Zero (000)
- History of cancer or osteoporosis
Good to know
Back pain, sciatica or something else?
Most back pain is in the lower back, and usually no specific cause is found; this non-specific pain isn't caused by a serious problem. Pain spreading from your back through the buttock and down one leg, sometimes with numbness or weakness, may be sciatica; see your doctor, though many people recover within a few months. Back pain can also come from outside the spine, such as kidney stones or the heart, so call Triple Zero (000) if it comes with difficulty breathing. For pain higher up, see neck pain; for hips or knees, see joint pain.
Why a scan usually isn't needed
Australia's Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard says an X-ray, CT or MRI isn't needed in most cases, as more than 95% of low back pain has no serious cause. Scans often show disc changes that are normal with age and common in people without pain, prompting worry and unhelpful tests. Don't wait for the pain to go before moving: staying active and keeping up usual activities, including work, gives the fastest recovery, while long bed rest slows it. Pain relief should help you keep moving, not stop all pain. See your GP for new back pain, or if it isn't improving after about 6 weeks.
Sources: healthdirect — Back pain; healthdirect — Sciatica; Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care — Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard
Frequently asked questions
Ice for first 48h after injury. Heat for chronic pain or muscle stiffness.
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Medical disclaimer
This information is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what’s right for you.