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Back and neck pain

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 structure of the back

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.
The lower part of your back is known as the lumbar region, which is made up of five vertebrae, known as L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5. The lumbar supports the entire weight of your upper body (plus any extra weight that you are carrying), and it is under constant pressure, particularly when you are bending, twisting and lifting.

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 (go to 'Useful links' for more information).

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.

Top tips  

  • Keep your back mobile. If you're in so much pain that you have to go to bed, that's fine – but try and get back on your feet as soon as possible.
  • Do not do any lifting. If you do, you're likely to strain the back further.
  • Be careful bending your back – this puts a lot of strain on it, which can make your problems much, much worse.
  • Try some ice on the back. Apply an icepack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel to the base of your spine for five minutes. 
  • Follow with 20 minutes of heat – a hotwater bottle wrapped in a towel, placed on the base of the spine. This will help reduce inflammation. You can use it on the spine while you sit down, or when you lie on the bed.
  • Take painkillers and anti-inflammatories, but stick to the recommended dosages and read the packet to ensure they're suitable for you.

Reproduced under the terms of Click-Use Licence number C2009000382. The content of this page has been published under a Click-Use Licence (link this to http://www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/index) which covers the use of core Crown copyright information. The original material can be found on NHS Choices.