How ironic that calling someone spineless or telling them they lack backbone is considered an insult. A sufferer of chronic back pain might consider that absence – however physiologically impossible – a blessed relief. Standing, sitting, lying down: when your back is playing up, there is no respite.
No wonder then that back pain is the second most-frequently reported reason for visiting the GP surgery, after the common cold. It is also one of the most difficult ailments to treat as it is affected by so many factors, from posture and lifestyle to osteoporosis and old injuries. As American actor George Burns once put it: “Love is a lot like backache. It doesn’t show up on X-rays but you know it’s there.”

Persistent pain
Obviously some back pain has its source in a severe, diagnosable condition. Any persistent pain should be reported to a doctor, who might be able to confirm if an issue such as degenerative disc disease – common as we age – osteoporosis, stenosis or another syndrome is at the root of the problem.
Our sedentary lifestyle is frequently blamed for the occurrence of back problems. A day spent hunched over a desk is going to twist your spine into shapes that nature never intended. There is also the issue of weight gain, which can create extra strain for the back as well as for other joints.
“You will have the odd person saying they were lifting something heavy and put their back out,” says Moran. “But the majority of people coming in have developed a vague onset of pain from bad habits, from sitting, driving, chronic posture, playing golf, repetitive movements. The use of computers is now a huge factor because people are sitting at desks for longer, perhaps carrying a bit more weight and experiencing chronic tightness in their back and neck.”
Getting exercise is the most obvious and least expensive solution in this scenario, according to Moran. Here, though, is the catch-22: When that niggling ache sets into the lower back region, it is tempting to put off being active for another evening. Unfortunately, unexercised muscles are weaker muscles and the spinal column loses support.
“There is a huge fear associated with exercising, that it might aggravate backache,” says Moran, “But the opposite is true. With lack of use, certain muscles will spasm and tighten and others weaken, putting uneven pressure on discs.”

Take action
Following the ‘use it or lose it’ school of thought, it’s worth looking into the Alexander technique of posture or signing up for a course of Pilates and yoga. These forms of exercise can be as gentle as required for the uninitiated but are ideal for stretching and realigning the spine. They develop the ‘core’ muscles around the stomach and lower back, providing an invisible band of support for the area.
Swimming, walking and even cycling have also been shown to increase back strength. Specific exercises to target the area are important, if you can make room for a few every morning or evening. Most can be carried out without any equipment. However, incorporating an inflatable Swiss ball can help you to get the best out of some of the movements (see ‘Useful websites’ below for specific instructions on these exercises). Fitness and sports stores sell Swiss balls – and Argos has some for under €10.

Alternative treatments
Prevention is always better than cure. However, there are alternative treatment options for back pain sufferers. Some people swear by acupuncture, the ancient Chinese method of realigning the ‘chi’ or energy flow in the body by inserting painless, tiny needles into pressure points around the body.

In addition to physiotherapists, chiropractors also claim to be able to help relieve back pain by the manipulation of the spine. Unlike many western countries, there is no chiropractic legislation in Ireland but the website for the Chiropractic Association of Ireland, which self-regulates its members, is a good starting point.

For those of you who have yet to experience the twinge of backache, remember to sit up straight, stretch and stay active!