Back pain
Most back pain is musculoskeletal and improves within 4–6 weeks with movement, simple painkillers and posture changes. Red flags — new bladder or bowel problems, saddle numbness, unexplained weight loss, fever, or pain after major trauma — need urgent assessment.
Key information
- Symptom
- Back pain
- Category
- Muscles & joints
- Common possible causes
- Muscle or ligament strain, Poor posture and prolonged sitting, Disc-related pain, Sciatica (nerve root irritation)
- Tests that may be considered
- Full blood count, CRP and ESR, Calcium and vitamin D, Myeloma screen where indicated
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Available across Dubai
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
Back pain is pain anywhere in the spine — cervical, thoracic or lumbar. Most is non-specific mechanical pain.
Common possible causes
- · Muscle or ligament strain
- · Poor posture and prolonged sitting
- · Disc-related pain
- · Sciatica (nerve root irritation)
- · Osteoarthritis
- · Pregnancy
Less common possible causes
- · Ankylosing spondylitis
- · Kidney stones or infection
- · Osteoporotic fracture
- · Referred pain from abdominal organs
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Cauda equina syndrome
- · Spinal infection
- · Spinal tumour or metastasis
- · Aortic aneurysm
- · New bladder or bowel incontinence
- · Saddle-area numbness
- · Progressive leg weakness
- · Fever with back pain
- · Unexplained weight loss
- · Back pain after major trauma
- · Night pain unrelieved by rest
- · History of cancer
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department for any of the above.
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · Any red-flag features
- · Severe pain with fever
- · Sudden severe pain after minor injury in someone with osteoporosis
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Chronic mechanical back pain for review
- · Persistent sciatica
Questions a doctor may ask
- · When did the pain start and what were you doing?
- · Where is the pain and does it radiate?
- · Any weakness, numbness or tingling?
- · Any bladder or bowel changes?
- · Any fever, weight loss or night pain?
- · Any history of cancer, osteoporosis or steroid use?
History factors that may matter
- · Osteoporosis
- · Cancer
- · Long-term steroid use
- · Manual work
- · Sedentary desk work
What may happen during the examination
- · Spine and neurological examination
- · Straight-leg-raise test
- · Reflexes and power assessment
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · Full blood count
- · CRP and ESR
- · Calcium and vitamin D
- · Myeloma screen where indicated
Other tests
- · MRI spine for red flags or persistent radiculopathy
- · X-ray for suspected fracture
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · Urgent spinal referral for any red flag
- · Physiotherapy for most cases
- · Rheumatology for suspected inflammatory back pain
Possible treatment approaches
- · Stay active, avoid prolonged bed rest
- · Physiotherapy
- · Simple analgesia (paracetamol, short-course NSAIDs)
- · Nerve-pain medication for radiculopathy
- · Surgical referral for cauda equina or progressive weakness
Safe self-care
- · Gentle walking and stretching
- · Heat or cold packs
- · Posture and ergonomic review
- · Core strengthening once acute pain settles
Best avoided
- · Long-term bed rest
- · Long-term opioid use
- · Ignoring red-flag features
How Aafiyah can help
- · GP assessment in clinic or at home
- · Blood tests where indicated
- · MRI referral for red flags
- · Physiotherapy and pain management coordination
Related conditions
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
When should I worry about back pain?+
Seek urgent care for new bladder or bowel incontinence, saddle numbness, leg weakness, fever, unexplained weight loss, back pain after major trauma, or night pain unrelieved by rest.
Do I need an MRI for back pain?+
Most back pain does not need imaging. MRI is reserved for red flags, persistent nerve-root symptoms, or when surgery is being considered.
Should I rest or keep moving with back pain?+
Stay active — prolonged bed rest can slow recovery. Gentle movement, walking and physiotherapy are the mainstays of treatment.
Medical references
- · NICE — Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s (NG59) — nice.org.uk
- · NHS — Back pain — nhs.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
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