Lower back pain
Do you have lower back pain?
✔ Pain in the spine
✔ Sharp shooting pain
✔ Dull or achy pain
✔ Stiffness
✔ Tingling
✔ Tenderness when touched
✔ Swelling and warmth in joint
No matter your age, lower back pain can have a far-reaching impact on your life, not just physically but emotionally and socially. It can affect even the fittest of us, and not only restricts movement, but can cause issues with sleep, ability to work, and mood. Performing simple daily activities can become difficult or even impossible, greatly reducing your independence.
Our goal is to improve your pain and your quality of life whilst helping you feel supported and confident about how to manage your condition.
are expected to rise by
36.4% by 2050 to 843m
people
population will have
back pain at some
point in their life
accounts for 60%
of all disability in
the UK
How The London Rheumatology and MSK Clinic can help you
Accurate diagnosis is vital for getting the correct interventions – particularly when it comes to back pain. Lower back pain could be a symptom of an inflammatory condition, like ankylosing spondylitis which needs swift intervention. Untreated back pain can lead to chronic pain, loss of mobility, poor mental health, and a worsening of the underlying condition. Dr Naveen Bhadauria is a highly experienced Consultant Rheumatologist in London. He is passionate about achieving early and accurate diagnosis for each of his patients in order to provide effective treatment and improve their lives.
Specialist expertise and experience
Access to other trusted top specialists
High quality care with no waiting list
Evidence-led treatments
Why does my lower back hurt?
The vast majority of us know what it’s like to pull a muscle in our back after exercise, or have fallen asleep on the sofa only to wake up with a sore, achy back. Although the most common cause of lower back pain is muscular and usually harmless, for a proportion of people, lower back pain is a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Common causes of back pain
The majority of cases we see here at The London Rheumatology and MSK Clinic are a result of mechanical wear and tear (osteoarthritis), sciatica, and slipped discs. However, we do see patients with more serious conditions. In rare cases, lower back pain can be one of the first signs of prostate cancer. We also see a number of patients with ankylosing spondylitis, also known as axial spondyloarthritis.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in and around the joints and tendons, the lower spine in particular. You may notice stiffness and pain in the spine which is worse in the morning and at night, and improves with movement. This autoimmune disease usually first presents in people between ages 18-40. It is a condition which, over time, can cause deterioration of the spine, and can even result in fused vertebrae. Ankylosing spondylitis is degenerative and strongly associated with increased risk of other conditions like osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and spinal fractures. As such, early and accurate diagnosis is incredibly important for pausing progression of the disease – left unmanaged, it can lead to disability.
For further information, scroll to our FAQs section at the end of this page.
Diagnosing lower back pain
Lower back pain is a really common problem, and although it’s tempting to assume it’s nothing, it’s important to rule out serious conditions – especially if your pain hasn’t improved or has gotten worse. One of the benefits of seeing a private consultant rheumatologist is that there is no waiting list, giving you quicker access to effective pain management.
During and after your consultation
Diagnosis of lower back pain at The London Rheumatology and MSK Clinic begins with assessment of symptoms, full medical history, and family history. This will be followed with an examination. Dr Bhadauria is incredibly thorough – you’ll feel listened to and won’t be rushed.
Dr Bhadauria says: “Early and accurate diagnosis of lower back pain can make a significant difference when it comes to inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Our goal is to improve your quality of life with effective pain management techniques, and ensure you feel supported. We also place a focus on pausing the progression of disease to reduce the need for surgical interventions where possible.”
Dr Bhadauria will then recommend the most appropriate testing based on your individual situation. This will often include blood tests and X-rays (which can be carried out on the same day), but in some instances more in-depth testing such as ultrasound and MRIs may be required.
Lower back pain treatment
Dr Bhadauria provides cutting-edge evidence-based treatments for lower back pain. Treatment will vary depending on its underlying cause and your individual history and needs.
When it comes to treatments for joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis), the mainstay of managing this and lowering the chance of disability is good quality physiotherapy and joint strengthening exercises, combined with painkillers and/or anti-inflammatories.
For autoimmune/inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, it is vital to prevent worsening of the condition to prevent disability and retain your independence. A good treatment plan will utilise a multidisciplinary approach for effective management. This might combine medications (these can include corticosteroids, anti-rheumatic drugs, painkillers, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)), physiotherapy, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. Advanced medications include “Biologics”, which are very effective at controlling ankylosing spondylitis and can very much allow people to live a normal, pain-free and healthy lifestyle.
Lower back pain FAQs
Are you experiencing lower back pain and wondering what symptoms associated with back pain should prompt you to see a doctor? There are a few things you should look out for that indicate you should see a healthcare professional. These include:
- Pain that keeps getting worse
- Pain that has lasted for more than three weeks
- Pain so bad it wakes you up at night
- Pain that doesn’t ease with rest or pain relief medications
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Prolonged stiffness in the morning
- Problems controlling your bladder or bowels
- Weakness or numbness in arms and/or legs
- If pain radiates down the leg(s)
Back pain (soreness or ache) that follows activity (often the lies of lifting or twisting) is often muscular pain. However, if you experience pain that comes on suddenly or doesn’t lessen after a few days, there is a chance it could be something more serious. In this instance it’s important to see a healthcare professional. A private rheumatologist can quickly diagnose any underlying conditions to give you peace of mind and get you back on your feet again as quickly as possible.
Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation. As a result, this causes damage in and around the joints and tendons. It is associated with the HLA-B27 gene variant. If you have this gene it means that you are more at risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis.
As an inflammatory disease, it progressively worsens and damages the joints which can lead to fused bones (where they can no longer move) and other serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Early diagnosis is essential for slowing progression of the disease and establishing good control.
Although the primary symptoms are pain and stiffness in the lower back, it can have a wider impact on the body. Other common symptoms include warmth in the affected joint(s), fatigue, insomnia, and swelling in other areas of the body (most commonly the knees and hips). That being said, not everyone with the condition will have these symptoms.
It is quite common for people with ankylosing spondylitis to also suffer from irritable bowel disease, osteoporosis, psoriasis, and issues with sight. Learn more about ankylosing spondylitis.
Dr. Bhadauria is simply amazing! All my life with my disease Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) I have been across the globe from the NHS to Germany Russia & Thailand searching for treatment options and possibly a cure! Everyone or each place / Doctor I visited gave me hope but left me feeling more and more frustrated.
Unlike other Doctors I had been to see globally Dr. Bhadauria was to the point! He was factual! He gave realistic options & solutions! He did not raise my hopes with false promises. I realized that he is a Dr. with an immense amount of integrity that will NOT waste your time or his! I am proud to be under his permanent care as my rheumatologist. His suggestions of minimal medication and changes in my lifestyle I am so much happier and in much less pain (emotionally, mentally & physically) than before!
Dr. Bhadauria uses an approach towards his patients whereby he tries to minimize medication usage and helps them change their lifestyle as much as possible & listens with the intent of understanding needs versus demands. If you visit him for a consultation he will really impress you like he did for me & my family! May God Bless him always!
