Low back pain is very common. So common, in fact, that most (80%) Australian adults will experience at least one episode of low back pain during their lifetime. Although often very painful, most low back pain is not caused by a serious problem and will resolve with some simple care. Physical activity is an important part of that care. Occasionally, however, low back pain can be caused by serious disease or damage to the tissues of the back. You should seek advice from a health care practitioner as soon as possible if your back pain:
- occurs after a traumatic event, such as a car accident or a fall
- wakes you during the night
- does not reduce or change, no matter how you move or change position
- accompanies numbness, tingling, or ‘pins and needles’ in your bottom, legs or feet
- accompanies changes to your bowel or bladder control.