Back pain

Back pain, particularly affecting the lower back, is one of the most common causes of pain in the UK. According to BackCare, the charity for back and neck pain, an estimated four out of five adults experience back pain at some stage. The peak age to experience back pain is 35 to 55 and while anyone can suffer, certain factors increase an individual's susceptibility.

These include being overweight, having poor posture, smoking or a family history of back problems. Heavy manual labour can also increase the risk of suffering back pain, as can having a desk job with a poorly designed workstation.

While the exact cause of lower back pain may not always be obvious, common causes include:

• Muscle or ligament strain: this may occur after an accident or fall, or following repeated heavy lifting or sudden, awkward movements
• Problems with the spinal discs: these act like cushions between the vertebrae and cause pain if they bulge, rupture or slip
• Conditions affecting the vertebrae: scoliosis (where the spine curves to the side) can cause back pain. Arthritis and osteoporosis can also affect the lower back
• Pre-existing conditions: pain from other conditions may be felt in the lower back. These include kidney infections or stones, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and cancer of the spine. Pregnancy is another common cause.

For the majority of people, back pain is not serious and usually resolves within six weeks. However, BackCare estimates that in up to seven per cent of cases, acute back pain becomes chronic. Sufferers should be referred to the pharmacist if they have:

• Severe pain that does not improve
• Pain following an injury or fall
• Numbness or tingling
• Pain alongside fever, weakness, difficulty urinating or unexplained weight loss
• Swelling or redness on the back.