Back pain: what to do and when to see a specialist

Back pain affects almost everyone at some point in life — it can be linked to a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, weak muscles, or long hours at a computer. The good news is that in most cases back pain can be significantly reduced or fully resolved if you take the right steps.

The most common causes of back pain

• prolonged sitting and poor posture at the workplace;
• weak abdominal and back ("core") muscles;
• incorrect lifting technique;
• stress and muscle tension;
• problems with the intervertebral discs.

What to do when back pain starts

In most cases, these simple steps help:

• stay active — prolonged bed rest often extends the duration of pain rather than reducing it;
• adjust your workstation — screen height, chair support, and take breaks every 30–40 minutes;
• do light, targeted exercises to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles;
• avoid sudden, jerky movements and incorrect lifting of heavy objects.

When should you see a physiotherapist?

There are several signs that back pain shouldn't be ignored and requires a specialist's attention:

• the pain lasts more than two weeks and doesn't go away;
• the pain radiates down the leg or foot;
• there is numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs;
• the pain is worse at night or at rest;
• the pain followed a fall or injury.

A physiotherapist will assess your posture, muscle strength and mobility, identify the likely cause of the pain, and create an individual treatment and exercise plan that helps not only reduce the pain but also prevent it from recurring.

Don't put up with pain longer than you have to — book a consultation at FizioBalance clinic in Riga, and we'll help you find a solution that fits your situation.