Q A

QHow prevalent is back pain and what symptoms do people usually present with?

AGenerally people with back pain have general discomfort or stiffness and it can be anywhere along the spine, from the neck down to the hips. The most common causes we see include strains from lifting, poor posture and sitting for long periods.

Back pain is an extremely common condition, with an estimated four out of five people in the UK* experiencing back pain at some point.

What is the best treatment for back pain?

When you visit LloydsPharmacy with back pain, the pharmacist will talk to you about the cause, the pain you are feeling and how best to treat the pain.

For those with back pain, perhaps a strained muscle or trapped nerve, over-the-counter painkillers or gels combined with a drug-free treatment such as a TENS machine or hot and cold compression packs are often the best treatment. It’s also important to keep active as resting for long periods is likely to make the pain worse.

If you have already been prescribed medication for long term, chronic pain but still experience discomfort, then a free Medicines Check Up could help. In the Medicine Check Up the Pharmacist will review all of the medication that you are currently taking, along with how and when the medication is taken, to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your treatment. The pharmacist will also advise on any over-the-counter products than can be combined with your prescription that can help ease your discomfort.