Back pain is incredibly common. It is estimated around 80 per cent of adults will experience it at some point in their lives. Although you shouldn’t have to tolerate any pain, there will be some signs when a back pain is more than just a passing niggle.
We spoke to a sports injury specialist and an osteopath, both experts in treating muscle and joint pain, but with different foundational philosophies and methods, about the most common issues they see in clinic, and how to know your pain deserves further attention.
“Back pain can stem from muscles, joints, discs, nerves, or occasionally be referred from elsewhere in the body, such as the kidneys, gallbladder – or in women, it is sometimes linked to the reproductive system – and each type of back pain tends to respond to a slightly different approach,” explains osteopath Anisha Joshi (@osteoanisha).
“Pain is really just information. It’s your body’s way of flagging that something would benefit from a bit of attention, whether that’s a movement pattern, a new load you’re not used to, or tension in the shoulders and lower back”.
The nervous system and the musculoskeletal system are more closely linked than many realise. “Stress and emotional load can influence how the back feels,” Joshi continues. “I see this often in patients who notice their back becomes more sensitive during demanding weeks, not necessarily their most physically active ones.”
