Back and Neck Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

What you need to know about back pain

In the UK, back pain is a common cause of absence from work and data suggests that almost a million people in the UK are too sick to work due to back and neck ailments. Not all, but many of these ailments can be resolved with intervention. That intervention could be in the form of medical advice, medication, lifestyle changes, or physiotherapy.

The two main types are lumbago and sciatica. Lumbago describes pain in the lower back. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the back of the pelvis through the buttocks and all the way down the legs, is irritated or compressed. As a result, symptoms such as pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation may be felt.

Lumbago (lower back pain) is very common. It is thought that 80% of us will experience it at some point. 1 in 20 people who experience lower back pain will experience sciatica.

What causes back pain?

Back pain can affect people of any age but becomes more common as we get older (from around 30 to 40). Factors like driving frequently, sitting at a computer for long periods of time, lifting heavy items, being overweight, and damage from a previous injury, can all contribute to back pain. It could be a pulled muscle or a strain. Sometimes, there are medical conditions like a slipped disc, sciatica or ankylosing spondylitis (a long-term condition where the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed) that can be the reason for the pain.

If you experience back pain for longer than a few weeks, it’s best to consult your GP or healthcare professional who can help identify what could be causing it.

How to ease back pain yourself

Back pain often improves or goes away by itself within a few weeks but there are things you can do to help speed up your recovery. Be mindful of any activity that causes pain and if you experience pain while exercising or doing yoga, always consult your GP. It may make any existing injury worse.

• Stay active and try to continue with your daily activities if possible

• Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen – paracetamol on its own is not recommended for back pain but it may be used with another painkiller (always follow the guidance on the pack)

• Use an ice pack (this could be a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel to reduce pain and swelling

• Use a heat pack (or hot water bottle) wrapped in a towel to relieve joint stiffness or muscle spasms

• Try doing some low-impact exercise and stretching such as yoga

• Try not to stay in bed for long periods of time

Be mindful of any activity that causes pain and if you experience pain while exercising or doing yoga, always consult your GP. It may make any existing injury worse.

If your back pain is severe or not improving, also talk to your GP. You may be prescribed painkillers to relax the muscles in your back or they might suggest a course of physiotherapy.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to refer yourself directly for help to ease your pain. Find your local integrated care board (ICB) on the NHS website for more information about your specific location.

What you need to know about neck pain

Like back pain, most neck pain only lasts a few weeks and there are things you can do yourself to ease it. However, you may need to see a GP if it does not go away.

What causes neck pain?

Possible causes of neck pain include:

• The neck becoming locked in an awkward position while sleeping

• Bad posture – for example, driving or sitting at a desk for a long time

• A pinched or trapped nerve

• An injury – for example, whiplash from a fall or car accident

Ways you can ease neck pain yourself

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen (always refer to the in-pack guidance)

• Try an ibuprofen gel on your neck

• Use a low, firm pillow

• Put a heat or cold pack on your neck

• Try gentle exercises to improve your neck flexibility 

• Don’t wear a neck collar or brace – it's better to keep your neck moving (unless advised by a doctor not to)

Try to avoid activities such as driving or cycling while your neck movement is restricted. These may lead to an increased risk of having an accident.

Helping to prevent neck pain

These tips may help to prevent the onset of neck pain:

• Try to make sure your head is the same height as the rest of your body when you go to sleep

• Consider a firm mattress for your bed

• Sit upright - try rolling your shoulders back gently and bring your neck back

• Try to regularly move your neck when sitting for long periods of time

• Choose to sleep on your back or side in bed with your neck straight and not twisted

If your symptoms persist, it’s important to seek medical advice. Talk to your GP if:

• You have neck pain or stiffness that does not go away after a few weeks

• Painkillers are not working

• You have other symptoms like pins and needles