Back pain: which doctor should I see?
Pain in the upper and middle back is often linked to posture, long sitting or strain. Sometimes it comes from changes in the spine, such as a curvature. Here you will learn what may be behind it, when it is urgent and which specialist to see.
Book a specialistWhen it is urgent
- The pain is sudden and very severe or tearing, especially between the shoulder blades, or comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating or fainting.
- The pain started after a serious accident, such as a car crash, or is severe after a fall or a blow.
- You have pain, tingling or weakness in both legs, your walking is unsteady, you feel numb around the genitals or anus, you have difficulty passing urine, leak urine or stools, sensation during sex has changed, or you have a new problem getting an erection or reaching orgasm.
With these signs, seek emergency help — call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Call 112What it may mean
- Muscle tension — from poor posture, long sitting or lifting something heavy.
- A curvature of the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis) — uneven shoulders, tiredness and pain.
- Wear of the vertebrae — stiffness and pain, worse after rest.
- A trapped nerve — pain that wraps around the chest like a belt.
- A cause outside the spine — the heart, the lungs or the stomach can also cause back pain.
Which specialist
How to prepare for the visit
Note when the pain started, where exactly you feel it and what makes it worse. Bring any X-rays and earlier test results, and a list of the medicines you take. For a child's spinal curvature, bring the older X-rays too.
Frequently asked questions
Can posture be the cause?
Yes, often. After the examination the doctor may recommend exercises or rehabilitation. Book a visit without delay if the pain comes with a fever or unexplained weight loss.
When does scoliosis need treatment?
It depends on how curved the spine is and on age. The doctor decides after the examination and an X-ray.
Orthopaedist or neurologist?
For a curvature, or pain after strain or an injury, the first specialist is an orthopaedist. With numbness, weakness or pain that wraps around like a belt, a neurologist.
This information does not replace a visit to a doctor.