Back pain - What will happen?

In this section

Getting depressed
Back pain coming back

If you have back pain, the good news is that you are likely to make a reasonably fast recovery.

Most back pain lasts less than two weeks.[3] And about 9 in 10 people are completely better in less than six weeks.

About two-thirds of people have less than a week off work.[4] And about 9 in 10 people are back to work within two months.[3]

But if you have back pain for more than three months, you may find it more difficult to recover. If you've taken time off work, you might find it more difficult to return. And, if you've been off work for more than two years, then you may have become seriously disabled.[5] Some people with chronic back pain may never return to work.

This is why doctors think it's important to prevent your back pain becoming long term (chronic). Researchers now think the best way to do this is to stay active because it means you are more likely to get back to work.

Getting depressed

Having constant back pain can make you feel depressed or irritable. You may feel tired, lose your appetite and lose weight.[1] This may make it more difficult to get back to work or to your usual activities.

If your back pain is getting you down, talk to your doctor about it. Feeling depressed can affect how you respond to treatment and how soon you get back to your normal activities. Your doctor may be able to reassure you that nothing is seriously wrong and that the best thing you can do is to stay active. You can also get advice from your doctor about how to take care of your back.

If you want to read more about how your illness might be affecting your mood, see Feeling depressed.

Back pain coming back

Once your back pain gets better, there is a chance that you'll get more bouts of backache. As many as 8 in 10 people who have had back pain will get it again within a year, although it may be less severe the second time around.[2]

Your job can also affect whether you get back pain again. You are most likely to get repeated bouts if you are a nurse, or if your job involves a lot of driving.[5] Drivers are at risk because sitting down all day can squeeze and damage the discs in the lower back and weaken supporting muscles. Nurses are at risk because their job involves a lot of bending as they move and lift their patients.

References

Jenner JR, Barry M. ABC of rheumatology: low back pain. BMJ. 1995; 310: 929-932.
Frymoyer JW. Back pain and sciatica. New England Journal of Medicine. 1988; 318: 291-300.
Indahl A. Low back pain: diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 2004; 33: 199-209.
Waddell G. The clinical course of low back pain. In: Waddell G. The back pain revolution. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, UK; 1998.
Andersson GBJ Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain Lancet;354:581-585

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.