Back pain: understand your back and find the right guide

Your lower and upper back

Your spine protects nerves and allows you to move. Vertebrae, discs, joints and muscles work together. Your lower back supports and follows many movements; higher up, your ribs also contribute to movement of the chest. A tender area alone does not identify which structure is responsible.

Pain intensity does not directly measure damage. Equally, some changes in strength, sensation or bladder control need urgent assessment even when the pain is manageable.

Which guide should you choose?

For pain mainly in the lower back, start with the low back pain guide. If pain travels down your leg with tingling, the sciatica guide explains those symptoms. A herniated disc is one possible cause, but the terms do not mean the same thing.

For pain between the shoulder blades, read about upper back pain. If a doctor has already mentioned stenosis, scoliosis or axial spondyloarthritis, the dedicated pages help you prepare questions.

Prepare for a conversation

Note when symptoms started, where they travel and which tasks are difficult: walking, sleeping, working or dressing. Mention known illnesses, a recent accident and current treatments. This is often more useful than trying to identify one wrong movement.

KinéCheck helps you explore an area and your goals. It does not detect emergencies or provide a diagnosis. Use the medical guidance on this page directly for warning signs.

A return to activity that fits you

Without warning signs, keeping up manageable activities often helps rebuild confidence. The exercise and daily-life pages offer starting points, to adapt for a known condition or leg symptoms. There is no single programme for every back.