Spine Health Checklist
Spine health can only be assessed by examination and sometimes scans. This page does not estimate a "spine age". It counts back symptoms and habits the NHS gives advice about.
Before you start
Method : Spine Health Checklist — a custom points score written by this site. Each answer adds or subtracts the points shown in the Methodology table below.
Validation : Unvalidated. The points have never been tested against any laboratory measurement or health outcome, and the result is not an age.
Review : not reviewed by a qualified clinician. Educational only — not a diagnosis or a medical test.
Back pain with numbness in both legs, numbness around your bottom or genitals, or loss of bladder or bowel control needs urgent medical help (NHS).
Your answers stay in this browser tab; nothing is sent or stored.
Answer the questions, then press Calculate score.
How to Use This Calculator
- Answer each question.
- Press Calculate score.
- Read the breakdown and suggestions.
Methodology & assumptions
Your score is the sum of the points below. The weights are our own judgement. The old version added made-up years for self-rated disc health, range of motion, core strength and posture and gave a "spine age". Disc health can't be self-rated, so those were removed with the age output.
| Factor | Answer | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Back pain | None | 0 |
| Occasionally | +1 | |
| Most weeks | +2 | |
| Lasting more than 3 months | +3 | |
| Pain, tingling or numbness spreading down a leg | No | 0 |
| Yes | +2 | |
| Hours sitting on a typical day | Under 6 | 0 |
| 6–8 | +1 | |
| More than 8 | +2 | |
| Physical activity | 3+ days a week | 0 |
| 1–2 days a week | +1 | |
| Little or none | +2 | |
| Smoking | Never | 0 |
| Former | 0 | |
| Current | +1 |
Worked examples
Back pain over 3 months, leg symptoms, sits more than 8 h, little activity, smokes: 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = +10 points.
No pain or leg symptoms, sits under 6 h, active 3+ days, never smoked: 0 points.
Understanding your result
This counts symptoms and habits you reported. It is not a diagnosis and not an age. Health-agency guidance linked below is general and based on populations, not on this score.
Sources & further reading
The points table is our own convention and is not taken from these sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
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