Back pain is common, and although painful, it is not normally serious. However, the economic effect of back pain is becoming quite a burden. An article released by online “˜999 today” reports back pain as the largest cause of sickness absence in the UK. Research revealed that in 2003/2004, approximately 5 billion working days were lost as a result of back pain.
Every year the National Health Service spends more than £1 billion on back pain related costs. There are estimates that four out of five adults, i.e. 80%, will experience back pain at some stage in their life. Although incidence peaks between the ages of 35-55, an increasing number of children and adolescents are complaining of back pain.
Dr Steven Sandler, an osteopath in London, says, “We are seeing many more children than ever before.” He puts this down to a number of factors; firstly he thinks it’s because of the new specialist course being run by the Osteopathic clinic for children (Occ) which is training more and more osteopaths in the management of children. “Secondly, more doctors and nurses know what we do and send us work.” Thirdly, the results from treating children are excellent and “patients” parents talk, hence the increase in demand. As the usefulness of osteopathy for children is more and more apparent, so we are getting the referrals, which add more fuel to the bonfire!”
In most cases back pain will resolve as spontaneously as it appeared. However for a few of us the condition continues and it can be very costly to both the individual and to society. If you suffer from recurrent or prolonged back pain you might benefit from visiting an osteopath.
We asked Dr Steve Sandler what he advice he gives his back pain patients. “General advice ranges from advice on gardening, to specific advice on sport, to advice on women lifting and carrying and the likelihood of injury at the different stages in their menstrual cycle,” (Dr Sandler has recently published research on this subject) “to what to do in an acute attack of neck pain and back pain.”
When experiencing back pain, research shows that the most important thing to do is to keep active. Bed rest will only make the pain worse.
If you want to make an appointment with your nearest osteopath to see how they can help you; call the Appointment Line on 0845 680 0615.
The content of this page is informed by feedback from clinics in Scotland and also a practitioner in Leeds. Further input was received from practices in Luton and osteopaths in the Fulham area. Finally a contribution was made by osteopathic practitioners in Oxford.