Back pain

Back pain, particularly affecting the lower back, is one of the most common causes of pain in the UK. According to BackCare, the charity for back and neck pain, an estimated four out of five adults will experience back pain at some stage in their lives. The peak age for back pain is between 35 and 55. While anyone may suffer, some factors increase a person's risk. These include being overweight, having poor posture, smoking or a family history of back problems. Heavy manual labour can also increase the risk of back pain, as can having a desk job where the workstation is poorly designed. While the cause of lower back pain may not always be clear, common causes include:

• Muscle or ligament strain: this may occur after an accident or fall, or following repeated heavy lifting or sudden, awkward movements
• Problems with the spinal discs: these act like cushions between the vertebrae and cause pain if they bulge, rupture or slip
• Conditions affecting the vertebrae: scoliosis (where the spine curves to the side) can cause back pain. Arthritis and osteoporosis can also affect the lower back
• Pre-existing conditions: pain from other conditions may be felt in the lower back. These include kidney infections or stones, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and cancer of the spine. Pregnancy can also cause back pain.

For the majority of people, back pain is not serious and usually resolves within six weeks. However, BackCare estimates that in up to seven per cent of cases, acute back pain becomes chronic. Sufferers should be referred to the pharmacist if they have:

• Severe pain that does not improve with rest
• Pain following an injury or fall
• Numbness or tingling
• Pain with fever, weakness, difficulty urinating or unexplained weight loss
• Swelling or redness on their back.

Shoulder and neck pain

According to NHS Choices, shoulder disorders affect around three in 10 adults at any one time. Among older people, frozen shoulder is common and restricts the normal movement of the joint. The rotator cuff (a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint) can also be affected. Shoulder instability (where the shoulder has an usually large range of movement) and injury to the joint at the top of the shoulder can also occur. This is more common in younger people and those who take part in sports or activities involving repeated shoulder movements.

A painful, stiff neck can be caused by sleeping in an awkward position, using a computer keyboard for long periods of time or even sitting in a draft. Anxiety and stress can also cause tension in the neck muscles, leading to neck and shoulder pain. Most cases of neck and shoulder pain are minor and will resolve with time. However, anyone suffering severe or persistent pain, or whose symptoms came on suddenly or relate to an accident or fall, should be referred to the pharmacist.

Using a keyboard for long periods of time can cause a painful, stiff neck

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis in the UK. According to Arthritis Research UK, 8.75 million people in the UK have sought treatment for OA. This includes a third of people over 45, as well as 49 per cent of women and 42 per cent of men aged 75 and older. OA occurs when there is wear and tear damage in and around the joints. It most commonly affects the knees and hips, but can also occur in the spine and small joints of the hands and feet. Changes within the joint lead to pain, inflammation, stiffness and swelling. There is no cure for OA, but symptoms can be eased through effective pain relief. However, in severe cases, surgery may be required to replace or fuse the affected joint. While it's not possible to avoid OA altogether, looking after joints can help to minimise the risk of it developing.

Sprains and strains

Sprains and strains are common, minor injuries that affect the muscles and ligaments around joints. They often occur if a person falls or lands awkwardly and are common during sports, especially if the person over reaches, suddenly changes their direction or speed, or collides with something €“ or someone! Sprains occur when one or more of the ligaments supporting a joint gets stretched, twisted or torn. They commonly affect the knees, ankles, wrists and thumbs, with symptoms including pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness. The person may not be able to use, or put weight on, the affected joint. Strains occur when fibres in a muscle stretch or tear, most commonly in the hamstring muscles or lower back. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, muscle spasms and difficulty using the affected muscle.

To help reduce the risk of sprains and strains, it's important to warm up before exercise and stretch (cool down) afterwards. Wearing the correct footwear and clothing for the activity is also important, as is resting when the body starts to become tired.

While most sprains and strains heal in time, refer to the pharmacist anyone who:

• Is in severe pain, or is unable to move or put weight on the affected joint
• Reports numbness, discolouration or coldness in the injured area
• Has an injury where the affected area looks crooked or has any unusual lumps, other than swelling
• Has unsuccessfully tried several treatments.

Pain after exercise

Customers may try a new piece of equipment at the gym or push themselves a little harder on their daily run only to find themselves suffering the following day. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after physical activity is very common, particularly when beginning a new exercise programme or changing the nature, intensity or duration of the activity. DOMS may be caused by microscopic damage to muscle fibres and many experts believe that this is the body adapting, which in time leads to greater strength and stamina.

DOMS typically occurs a day or two after exercise and lasts three to five days. It can range from mild to severe and anyone, including experienced athletes, may suffer. DOMS rarely requires medical attention, unless the pain is severe or there is pronounced swelling.