BACK FACTS

The following are excerpts from The Back Book.

• Back pain or ache is usually not due to any serious disease.
• Most back pain settles quickly, at least enough to get on with your normal life.
• Back pain need not cripple you unless you let it.
• About half the people who get backache will have it again within a couple of years. But, that still does not mean that it is serious. Between attacks most people will return to normal activities with few, if any, symptoms.
• It can be very painful and you may need to reduce some activities for a time. Rest for more than a day or two usually does not help and may do more harm than good. So, keep moving.
• Your back is designed for movement. The sooner you get back to normal activity, the sooner your back will feel better.
• The people who cope best are those who stay active and get on with their life despite the pain.

Reference:
Anon., The Back Book, London: The Stationery Office, 1996.