Unsure whether to go back to gp or physiotherapy

[MattyT123]

35/male

I have been having issues with my back for years, it started off around 2017 as mild stiffness and lower back pain that just comes and then goes by itself, back then I was also having a lot of anxiety issues, like GAD and health anxiety, going to doctors with different kinds of symptoms, and all that and also depression.

Doctor back then thought it may ve all related to my anxiety, and said to try pain killers and if it becomes more of a problem, see a physiotherapist, which doesn't need a referral here in the UK.

Me thinking it's all anxiety and been feeling down I left it, also nurse at gp practice also kept telling me it's anxiety.

I started getting numbness in my right side of the head when driving, stiffness in the lower back and right side of the foot, saw a doctor, he checked my back, asked questions and recommended I see a physiotherapist, this was around 2020, he also thought my muscles were tight.

Because of things happening back then, I didn't do it, and now regret it, because I feel like my back issues have gone worse these past 4-5 years, despite using pain killers, and following back pain relief exercises on YouTube.

The pain is mostly mild, but can sometimes be painful, there are occasions where I never feel it.

I do work that involves heavy lifting, (I work on a farm) and I lift carefully, I now easily get lower back pains lifting heavy things or bending down for too long, standing up for too long, also walking for too long, so I walk massaging my back.

If I sit on the chair my back also aches, sometimes feels stiff, some things like rough roads sometimes trigger pain in my back, the mild numb feeling in my right foot and right side of the head does come when I drive and gives me tension headaches, also I get nubmness in my back sometimes.

Now, 7 years since it all started, it hasn't got any better, I feel like I might have made things worse.
Also that it might not be anxiety that was causing these back issues.
Not sure whether I should go back to my gp ir try physiotherapy first, would a physiotherapist know if there needs further evaluation etc?

[SassyLassie]

Hello~I would definitely see a chiropractor for these issues. I truly feel that you have pinched vertebrae in your lower and upper back and they are causing the issues. A chiropractor will probably take some x-rays, study them and discuss the findings with you. After a few adjustments you should start to feel much better. I would say that you have a muscular skeletal issue and yes, anxiety can make it worse, I know because I have the same issues and boy, do they hurt. The chiropractor has always been able to help.

If you can't get in to see a chiropractor right away, then while you wait for the appointment, try to soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts, the Epsom salts will relax any tight muscles you may have. Also try a cream called "Ice Blue" by doTERRA, it is really good and helps with the pain as will taking some ibuprofen, but, as I said, try to see a chiropractor, I am sure he/she will be able to help your issues.