Understanding Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a healthcare professional in the UK - and as Osteopaths, we see it every day in the clinic. Whether it’s a dull ache, sharp spasm, or persistent stiffness, back pain can be disruptive and debilitating. Yet with the right understanding and approach, most cases can be effectively managed or even prevented.
The Prevalence of Back Pain in the UK
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), low back pain affects around one-third of UK adults each year. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) also reports that musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, are a major reason for work absences—resulting in over 30 million lost working days in 2022 alone.
What Causes Back Pain?
Back pain isn’t always due to a specific injury. In many cases, it can arise from a combination of factors:
Sedentary lifestyles
Repetitive movements or manual handling at work
Stress and anxiety which could lead to muscular tension and nervous system sensitivity
Age-related changes such as disc degeneration or Osteoarthritis
Surprisingly, in up to 90% of cases, no serious underlying cause is found (Maher et al., 2017, The Lancet).
How Osteopathy Can Help
Osteopathy offers a holistic, hands-on approach to diagnosing and treating back pain. We focus not only on relieving symptoms but also on identifying the root causes, and providing you with long-term management strategies.
Treatment might include:
Education - discussing the diagnosis, the prognosis and treatment options, and to offer you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss fears/concerns, and to decide how you would like to proceed.
Soft tissue massage to reduce muscle tension
Joint mobilisation
Lifestyle advice
Exercise prescription to support rehabilitation
When Should You See an Osteopath?
You don’t have to live with back pain or wait for it to become unbearable. If your pain:
Is causing worry or concern
Limits your ability to exercise
Persists for more than a few days
Affects your ability to work or enjoy daily activities
…it’s worth seeking professional advice.
Osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and trained to assess for serious conditions. We work closely with GPs and other health professionals and we will make a referral to the right medical/healthcare professionals when needed.
Self-Help and Prevention
Evidence shows that staying active is one of the best things you can do for back pain. Bed rest is no longer recommended. Instead:
Keep moving, even if gently at first
Use heat or cold packs for temporary relief
Practise exercises that keep your body mobile and strong
Review your workstation setup—especially if you work from home
The NHS “Get Back to Being You” campaign also highlights the importance of keeping active and seeking early support.
Final Thoughts
Back pain is incredibly common—but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. With the right care, most people recover fully or learn to manage it effectively. Osteopathy offers a safe, evidence-informed option to support you on that journey.
If you'd like to find out how our Osteopaths could help with your back pain, feel free to get in touch with our clinic for a consultation.
Your back matters—let’s take care of it, together.
References:
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2016). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59).
Maher, C., Underwood, M., & Buchbinder, R. (2017). Non-specific low back pain. The Lancet, 389(10070), 736-747.
Paige, N. M., Miake-Lye, I. M., Booth, M. S., et al. (2017). Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain. JAMA, 317(14), 1451–1460.
Office for National Statistics. (2023). Sickness absence in the UK labour market: 2022.
NHS England. (2021). Musculoskeletal Health: A 5-Year Strategic Framework.
