Back Pain

Pain is unpleasant and can be frightening, especially if you have never experienced it before.

Back Pain usually settles on its own after a few days or weeks. Your local chemist or pharmacy can offer advice about what pain relief is available without prescription.

Some people have a back pain that takes longer to settle or is there, in some way for most of the time.

Our clinical team are able to refer you to the “Musculoskeletal Clinic” . This is useful if you have a back pain that is not settling or is having a significant impact on your life.

The information and links on this page can help you to understand more about what is happening and what you can do to help manage the pain.

Completing a Doctorlink online form about your pain helps the clinical staff to have a more complete view of what you are experiencing. It includes sections where you add more detail about what you would like to gain from being referred to a physiotherapist, chiropodist , orthopaedic surgeon, rheumatologist or pain clinic.

Click the link below to complete the Doctorlink form.

Try simple pain relief . This is available at low cost or free from your local Pharmacist or supermarket. Adequate pain relief is important for you to get back to normal activities quickly.

At the clinic:

  • You will be expected to complete questionnaires so bring reading glasses if necessary. The completed questionnaires will help us to give you an appointment time with the most appropriate clinician.
  • If you would prefer to complete the questionnaires at home they can be downloaded and printed from the Spinal Drop In section on the website (see above) you can then bring them along to the clinic where you will be allocated an appointment time
  • You may be expected to undress for examination so bring shorts/vest top if you prefer.
  • Your assessment may last for up to 1 hour.
  • You must be able to speak English or bring someone with you who can. If not you need to contact the Physiotherapy Department to arrange an alternative appointment with an interpreter.
  • You will usually have to wait before being seen – we appreciate this isn’t ideal – but it does mean that we can offer you rapid access to a physiotherapist for your back pain.
  • When the clinic is full you will be offered an appointment on another day.
  • These clinics do not operate on bank and public holidays.
  • You can find more information on managing your back ,neck and other joint pains at https://www.nhsinform.scot/injuries/muscle-bone-and-joint-injuries

Please note car parking charges apply at most of the sites where the back pain clinics are held.