Back pain affects thousands of people, but in most cases is not serious and medical treatment is not always necessary.

MOST BACK PAIN IS CAUSED BY

• Stiffness or spasm of the muscles caused by sleeping in an uncomfortable position
• Doing activities you are not used to

OTHER CAUSES

• Being overweight
• Pregnancy
• Incorrect lifting techniques
• A disc between the base of the spine moving out of position or pressing on a nerve

COMMON BACK PROBLEMS

• Pain of the upper or lower back
• Pain spreading from the back of the thigh to the ankle (sciatica)

BACK PROBLEMS CAN BE PREVENTED BY

• Keeping active
• Keeping to a healthy weight
• Sleeping on a firm mattress
• Lifting heavy weights correctly - crouch down, straighten knees and keep your back straight

TREATMENT AT HOME

• Stay in bed, but no longer than one or two days
• Massage the painful area; apply heat
• Take painkillers
• Exercise gently