Osteopathy Health Consultancy & Rehabilitation Specialists's Posts

Back pain is common.  It is estimated that 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. As age increases the number of people suffering as a percentage increases too. Peaking at the ages of 35-55 years. In 85% of cases there is no clear pathology behind the back pain. The risk factors most likely to contribute to back pain are; age, weight, sedentary lifestyles, repetitive lifting, bending, reaching, straining, pulling, vibrations, stress, anxiety, depression and smoking. 90% of people with acute back pain will recover in 6 weeks, but 8% will go on to develop chronic back pain conditions. The NHS spends around £1 billion on back pain costs a year. Privately we spend over £550 million on it per year. It is estimated that employers loose £590 million a year due to back pain related illness. The UK is not alone in this and it is the 2nd most common reason for work absence. In any one day 1% of the population will be off due to back pain. Back pain, in particular when persistant, can have