More than four out of five of us will suffer from chronic back pain, at some point in our lives and every year one out of five of us will consult our GP about it.
But in many cases Ramsay hospitals can offer effective treatments for those with persistent back issues.
Lower Back Pain
Typically, back pain is concentrated in the lumbar (lower back) region which takes most of the strain of our lifestyle. Lower back pain can be associated with stiffness, and sometimes muscle spasms and reduced motion.
Some people are more likely to develop lower back pain because their lifestyle puts a particular strain on their back which could have resulted in a spinal injury. In other cases back problems may be related to age - such as degeneration of the discs in the spine which cushion the vertebrae.
Much lower back pain is described as non-specific (not diagnosed as due to a particular condition) and may settle after conservative management over a period of weeks. Sufferers are often recommended to try over-the-counter painkillers, hot and cold compresses, and reduced activity.
Find out about treatments for lower back here.
