Across the UK there are 60 million working days lost through back pain and some 230,000 people are off work with back pain every day.

One of the major reasons for this is that treating back pain has always been considered to be an enigma probably because the general understanding for how the back is constructed and works is poor.

There are many treatments for back pain; yet recent studies showed that chiropractic was one of the preferred methods of treatment, with more that 75,000 chiropractic treatments being given each week in the UK.

Local chiropractor Luke Ramsay BSc DC and associates from Chiropractic Care Clinic, 17-21a St Ronans Road, Monkseaton, and also at West Farm Court, Cramlington.

The success of any treatment depends on the mutual co-operation between the patient and the practitioner and this is particularly true in the treatment of back pain. A good starting point is to have a better understanding of the many causes of back pain, and to explain common back pain misconceptions.

Some common misconceptions

I’ve slipped a disc! Fortunately, there’s no such thing! Discs are firmly attached to the vertebrae, but can be herniate and press onto nerves if the ligaments have been damaged.

I’ve put my back out! Again, vertebrae do not slip out, nor are they pushed back in manipulation, but dislocations do happen where a fracture can occur.

I have a trapped nerve! A nerve can get compressed (but not trapped) suddenly by a herniated disc or by bony spurs developing from wear and tear of the spine.

I need bed rest not exercise! Rest is important in the early stages of an injury but not inactivity. Bed rest can prolong and worsen the recovery of back injuries if used for three days. Gentle walking is the best way forward.

I need a hot water bottle for my back pain! NO! Only ice packs should be used if there is any inflammation. Heat over an area of inflammation, may prolong the healing and pain.