Back pain is extremely common - about eight in ten people in the UK are affected by back pain at some time in their lives. Each year, close to five million working days are lost due to back pain.

Acute and Chronic Back Pain

Back pain, whether it's lower back pain or pain in other parts of the back, can affect anyone at any age, although people are most likely to get it between the ages of 35 and 55.

If the pain lasts for less than three months, it's called acute back pain. Acute refers to how long it's lasted for rather than how severe it is. If the problem goes on for longer, it's known as chronic back pain.

Triggers for simple back pain, including lower back pain, include:

• Poor posture
• Poor foot posture which may require insoles
• Leg length discrepancy which may require a heel elevator
• Standing or bending down for long periods
• Sitting in a chair that doesn't provide enough back support
• Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling loads that are simply too heavy, or going about these tasks in the wrong way
• A trip or a fall

Treatment of Back Pain

• Stay active - It's important to return to your normal level of physical activity as soon as possible. Staying active will help your back to get better, and reduces your risk of getting simple back pain again.
• Stay positive - remember that back pain usually goes away quickly.
• Set yourself goals - this will help you get back to your normal levels of physical activity.
• Medicines
• Physiotherapy
• Manipulation
• Support bracing