Back pain self-check

Ten plain questions about your back pain: how long you have had it, where it travels, and what it stops you doing. You will see how much it is affecting your life, what your answers point to, and practical next steps.

Written by Dr. V. B. Rajendra Prasad, MPT. Takes about three minutes.

  1. 1.How long have you had this back pain?

  2. 2.Where do you feel the pain?

  3. 3.Sitting for 30 minutes, for example at work or in a vehicle

  4. 4.Bending to pick something up from the floor

  5. 5.Walking

  6. 6.Sleep

  7. 7.Work and household tasks

  8. 8."I worry that moving or exercising will make my back worse."

  9. 9.How often do you take painkillers for it?

  10. 10.What usually eases the pain?

0 of 10 answered

Answers stay in your browser and are not sent to us. This check gives directions, not a diagnosis or a medical score.

What this check looks at

Most back pain comes from the muscles, joints and discs of the spine and improves with the right kind of activity. What matters most for deciding next steps is how long it has lasted, whether it travels down the leg, how much it limits you, and how you feel about moving.

Worry about movement and relying on painkillers are included on purpose. Both are common, both tend to keep back pain going, and both respond well to a guided exercise programme.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my back pain is serious?
Most back pain is not serious and improves with time and activity. Warning signs include numbness around the groin or buttocks, new bladder or bowel problems, weakness getting worse in the legs, fever, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer, and constant night pain that no position eases. Our separate warning-sign check covers these.
When should I see a physiotherapist for back pain?
If back pain is affecting your sleep, work or daily activities, has not improved within a few weeks, keeps coming back, or travels down your leg, a physiotherapist can help. You do not need to wait until it becomes long-term.
Is this a medical back pain score?
No. It is a set of plain questions written by our physiotherapists to give you a sense of direction. It is not a validated scoring tool and cannot replace an assessment.
Can back pain be treated online?
Yes, for most people. Back pain is treated mainly with exercise, movement and advice, which a physiotherapist can guide on video, while also seeing your work setup and home.
Online physiotherapy for back pain Exercises for back pain More free tools
Dr. Rajendra

Written by Dr. V. B. Rajendra Prasad, MPT. Licensed to practice in the US (NY state) and UK (HCPC).
20 years of clinical experience. About Dr. Rajendra