It’s the cause of the most sick days in Britain and it affects four out of five of us at some point in our lives. Back pain is often caused by a strain of a muscle, tendon or ligament, usually by sitting, standing or bending awkwardly, or by incorrect lifting techniques.
Back pain varies: it can start quickly but then ease after a few days or weeks, or it can be chronic, where pain might last on and off for weeks, months or even years. Backache is most common in the lower back, although it can occur anywhere along your spine, from your neck down to your hips. There are different types of back pain from frozen shoulder and slipped disc to sciatica. Experts agree that whatever your type of back pain, you should keep active as inactivity is bad for your back.