Hi, I injured my back at work on April 16th this year and was in a lot of pain. I visited my GP who referred me to a physiotherapist. During the physio examination I felt little to no pain and he concluded I had just pulled a muscle and gave me some stretches to do. It’s been 8 weeks now and I am still in pain despite doing the stretches he gave me and after using the NHS symptom checker as well as other sites, I suspect I have squashed my sciatic nerve, which was my initial suspicion at the time of the injury. Is it possible he could have missed a squashed nerve and how would I know for sure what is wrong with my back as it seems abnormal to be in pain for 8 weeks.

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Hi.

It can be frustratingly difficult to get an accurate diagnosis.

I’ve no way of knowing if the physio is correct or not without sitting down with you, taking a full case history and then examining you. I’d suggest that you find a chiro near you and go through that process.

There isn’t a ‘normal’ length of time to be in pain for with this kind of thing-especially if the only ‘treatment’ you’ve had is exercises.

As I said, find your closest chiro and go and see them.

Kris