Finding Relief From Back Pain

My Weekly’s favourite GP from TV and radio writes for you

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Four in five people suffer from back pain at some point–usually in the lower back. In most cases it settles on its own, but that’s no consolation when you’re in agony! So what can you do to cut your risks, especially over the summer months when we all get a bit more active?

The most common type of back pain is “simple” back pain – not caused by a prolapsed (“slipped”) disc or pressure on your spinal cord. Rather, it’s due to a strain or other problem of one of the many muscles or small joints in the spine. The sacro-iliac joints on either side of the base of your spine, connecting to your pelvis, are particularly prone to strain.

Most back pain is eased by rest, but you shouldn’t take to your bed as this may slow your recovery. Instead, do as much as you can without significant discomfort and try to increase your levels of activity each day.