| Firms have been urged to offer more support to | | | | often, the symptoms of low back pain show |
| workers suffering from musculoskeletal conditions | | | | significant improvement within a few days to a |
| such as back pain and upper limb disorders, in a | | | | few weeks from onset. In a significant number of |
| bid to reduce the 10.8 million working days lost | | | | individuals, low back pain can be recurrent in |
| because of the health problems. Pain Control | | | | nature with a waxing and waning quality to it. In a |
| recognise the problem and can recommend | | | | small proportion of individuals this condition can |
| products to relieve pain and speed your recovery | | | | become chronic. Population studies show that back |
| The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance has | | | | pain affects most adults at some stage in their |
| published a new charter, calling for | | | | life and accounts for more sick leave and disability |
| - Better flexible working arrangements | | | | than any other single medical condition. |
| - training of line managers | | | | Acute Lower Back Pain |
| - Improved dialogue between employers and | | | | An acute lower back injury may be caused by a |
| staff. | | | | traumatic event, like a car accident or a fall. It |
| Musculoskeletal disorders affecting 6.5 million | | | | occurs suddenly and its victims will usually be able |
| people and costing society over £7 billion a year, | | | | to pinpoint exactly when it happened. In acute |
| What is Lower Back Pain? | | | | cases, the structures damaged will more than |
| Lower back pain (sometimes referred to generally | | | | likely be soft tissue. |
| as lumbago) is a common symptom of | | | | Professional Treatment for Lower Back Pain |
| musculoskeletal disorders or of disorders involving | | | | - Physiotherapy |
| the lumbar vertebrae and related soft tissue | | | | - Surgical treatment (Lumbar disc removal |
| structures such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and | | | | surgery may be required in serious cases) |
| intervertebral discs. It can be either acute, | | | | What can you do if you suffer from Lower Back |
| subacute or chronic in its clinical presentation. Most | | | | Pain? |