The pain can be immediate, come on slowly or be caused by an accident or injury.

In the vast majority of acute cases the pain will last from a few days to a few weeks and often clears up after about six weeks.

If the back pain develops gradually over time, and lasts more than 3 months and causes long-term complications, it is then deemed to be "chronic back pain".

The human spine consists of:

• over 20 connecting vertebrae
• shock absorbing inter vertebral discs between the bones which assist in the movement of the spine
• it contains ligaments which keep the vertebrae and discs in the correct position
• it contains tendons which connect the muscles to the vertebrae
• the spinal cord which carries essential nerves to other parts of the anatomy
• muscles which regulate movement with other components above.

Pain in the lower back is generally a symptom of damage to the ligaments, muscles, tendons or discs. In most cases the back can and will try to heal itself and these days remaining active is encouraged, where 15 years ago bed rest and pain killers would have been the norm. Gentle walking, swimming and any mild activity is now considered beneficial to aiding recovery.

If the back pain is severe and continues for very long periods, we always recommend seeking medical advice to allow for correct medical diagnosis and relevant treatment.

Alternative medicine for back pain generally includes treatments such as Chiropractic manipulation, Osteopathy, Acupuncture and just recently and proving successful is a treatment know as NST (Neuro Structural Integration Technique) where a series of painless muscular movements are made to allow the body to regain its natural position.

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