Back Pain is a common condition and in the UK, it is the largest cause of work-related absence. Back Pain can be very uncomfortable, but it is not usually serious.

Back Pain can affect anyone, regardless of age, but it is more common in people who are between 35 and 55 years of age. In the majority of cases, the cause of back pain can be linked to the way that the bones, muscles and ligaments in the back work together.

	The Spinal Column

The Structure of the Back (Above: Sample taken from 17,564 patients' visits) [Source: Practice Audit September 2008]

The back is a complex structure consisting of:

• 24 small bones (vertebrae), that support the weight of your upper body and form a protective canal for the spinal cord
• Shock-absorbing discs (intervertebral discs) that cushion the bones and allow the spine to bend
• Ligaments that hold the vertebrae and discs together
• Tendons to connect muscles to vertebrae
• A spinal cord, which carries nerve signals from the brain to the rest of the body
• Nerves
• Muscles

Patients' Gender	Mean Age	Number of Visits	Mean Fees
Males	47.51	3.10	£114.12
Females	48.42	3.27	£122.76

Back Pain in the UK 2009

In the UK, an estimated 24,000 patients consult osteopaths every working day. This amounts to nearly seven million consultations a year.

• Osteopaths are providing over 850,000 more consultations a year since 1997 and over 1.7 million more than in 1994
• There has been an increase in patients referred by or with the knowledge of a GP or Consultant from 22% to 26%, but the majority are still 'self-referred'
• The percentage of people who have heard of osteopathy and have actually received treatment has increased 25% over 1996
• Whilst over 86% of patients still fund themselves, Private Health Insurance now accounts for 10.4%, an increase from 7% in 1997
• 95% of patients believe that the NHS should support osteopathic treatment. Information based on the GOsC Snapshot Survey and Public Awareness Surveys, November 2001 & 2007 

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Health, Work and Wellbeing: Improving access to Osteopathy

• In 2006,175 million days sick leave were taken, costing the economy between £103129 billion
• 1 in 8 patients diagnosed to take sick leave are suffering from musculoskeletal conditions
• Osteopathic manipulation can provide pain reduction, an improvement in activity levels in lower back pain patients, and higher patient satisfaction
• Over 7 million osteopathic treatments are carried out in the UK each year, but these are almost entirely privately funded

Surveys, Statistics & Clinical Audit

Lower back pain

Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, affects seven out of 10 people at some time in their lives. Lower back pain is a pain or ache on your back, in between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your legs.

Lower back pain can come on suddenly or gradually, and is sometimes the direct result of a fall or injury. The complex structure of your lower back means that even small amounts of damage to any part of the lumbar region can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

Pain in your lower back is usually a symptom of stress or damage to your ligaments, muscles, tendons or discs. In some cases, if a nerve in your back is pinched or irritated, the pain can spread to your buttocks and thighs. This is known as sciatica.

In most cases of back pain your back will heal itself, and staying active and continuing with your usual activities will normally promote healing. Back pain will usually last from a few days to a few weeks. Pain that lasts longer usually clears up after about six weeks.

However, in severe and persistent cases of back pain, it is important to seek medical advice so that a correct diagnosis can be reached and appropriate treatment given. Treatment for back pain will usually depend on the underlying cause of the condition. For example, pain that is caused by some types of arthritis may be treated using specific medicines.