At a glance

• Keep moving within tolerable limits and avoid prolonged bed rest.
• Use medicines only as advised by your clinician or pharmacist.
• Build activity back gradually and arrange review if recovery is not progressing.

Supporting recovery

• Change position regularly and use short walks or gentle daily activity as tolerated.
• Break larger tasks into smaller stages; a temporary increase in soreness does not always mean harm.
• Heat may provide short-term comfort for some people if used safely.
• Sleep, stress and confidence with movement can influence pain and recovery.

Questions to work through

• Anti-inflammatory medicines are not suitable for everyone; check before using them if you have kidney, stomach, heart or bleeding risks, take other medicines or are pregnant.
• Imaging is usually reserved for concerning features, significant injury or symptoms that do not follow the expected course.
• A physiotherapist or exercise professional may help when pain persists, recurs or limits return to activity.

When to book a GP review

• Pain is severe, rapidly worsening, waking you persistently or associated with fever or feeling very unwell.
• There is new leg weakness, increasing numbness or difficulty walking.
• You have unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer or pain after a fall or accident.

Review progress

• Arrange review if pain is worsening, repeatedly returning or not steadily improving.
• Discuss a graded return-to-work or activity plan if normal duties are difficult.
• Seek earlier review if pain began after significant trauma or you have osteoporosis, cancer, immune suppression or long-term steroid use.

Emergency advice

Call 000 or attend an emergency department for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the genitals or buttocks, sudden major leg weakness, inability to walk after injury, or another severe or rapidly worsening symptom.

Rochedale Family Practice is not an emergency service.