back pain
Back pain is one of the most common health complaints found in every country around the world. It is thought that between 50% - 80% of all adults suffer from back pain at some point during their lives, and that as many as 10% of all adults experience permanent back pain.
Back pain is most commonly experienced in the lower back, just above the pelvis. It is typically caused by straining muscles, tendons and / or ligaments in the area during everyday actions such as lifting objects, twisting and stretching. Back pain can also result from straining the intervertebral discs - the cushion of tissue between the vertebrae in your backbone. If this happens the disc swells and can sometimes press on the nearby sciatic nerve, causing sciatica pains to run down the leg.
If you suffer from back pain it is recommended that you visit your GP so they can ascertain the cause and decide on which course of treatment will be suitable. Sometimes, back pain will go away of its own accord after a few days. If symptoms persist, your doctor may prescribe a course of painkillers or recommend that you take over-the-counter paracetamol or ibuprofen. Some people also find it useful to visit an osteopath or chiropractor and receive a manipulation massage to aid recovery.
For more information on back pain, please review the resources on our site.