On rare occasions back pain can be associated with a serious condition. Seek immediate help from a Medical Doctor when there is:
- back pain associated with throbbing in the abdomen
- back pain associated with a new change to bowel or bladder habits, such as not being able to control excretion of urine and faeces, or not being able to urinate
- back pain associated with numbness in the parts of the body that would come into contact with a saddle when sat on one
- back pain associated with chills and fevers
- back pain that is worse when you lie down
- back pain that is associated with the onset of a dragging foot or weakened leg
- back pain associated with unexplained weight loss
- back pain after a fall from a height
- back pain if you have a history of cancer anywhere
- back pain if you have a history of osteoporosis
- back pain in people aged under 16 years old
- back pain that does not diminish with rest