For most people back pain is not necessarily serious and will disappear after a short while. What makes it such a pressing issue is the amount of people it affects. It is the biggest cause of absence from work in the UK.

NHS statistics state that chronic back pain costs the NHS £1.3 million every day.

The onset of back pain can vary from person to person.

Causes of back pain include physical work, things like frequent bending, sudden movements, lifting something particularly heavy, being static for a long period of time.

Often psychological factors such as stress and anxiety can have an impact on back pain.

Pain related to the back can extend to other parts of the body. Sometimes pain in the lower back pain can be felt all the way down the back or side of your leg. Upper or middle back pain can cause a burning sensation or sharp pain and you may feel muscles are tense. Neck pain and stiffness can be coupled with headaches when suffering from whiplash.

When it comes to dealing with back pain, it is common to take lots of painkillers but there are alternative treatments you should consider.

1)      Releasing your inner endorphins

Eating chocolate, doing all the things you enjoy and find exhilarating. Even just listening to your favourite music can release endorphins.

2)     Hot and cold treatments

After the initial instance of back pain, applying a cold or ice patch can help to reduce pain. Thereafter it is common to apply heat using a hot water bottle or heat patches to ease any continued pain.

3)     Relaxing and staying stress free

Stress sets your body up for a “fight or flight” response. This means muscles constantly tensed. Staying relaxed and stress free enables your muscles a chance to relax and helps prevent repeated of back pain.

4)     Staying active

The dominant advice for people with back pain used to be to sit with their feet up and avoid too much moving around or physical exercise. But now, research has shown physical activity to be imperative to a full recovery and reducing the frequency of back pain. Regular gentle exercise with emphasis on frequency and increasing flexibility are the most important things.

Yoga is a great way to give your body, including your back muscles, a chance to strengthen. It is low impact and even if you don’t have great stamina yoga is an easy form of exercise which doesn’t tire you out.

5)     Treating yourself to a massage

Massages release any built up tension and can offer great relief to those suffering with back pain. For most people having a massage is seen as an indulgence, however if you are suffering with back pain regular massages can help ease constant pain, and repeated bouts of back pain. Treating yourself every now and again may also release some of those endorphins!