Uncategorised
Doctor in the House: How to manage back pain – Switch Health

Nearly 10 million working days are lost each year for adults aged 25-64 due to back pain – and around 80% of us will suffer from back pain at some point in our lives.

The financial cost to the UK economy is estimated to be around £12bn per year, plus there are huge personal and emotional costs.

In BBC One’s Doctor in the House I help 42-year-old Mark, who works in retail. A former athlete, Mark has suffered from back pain for over 20 years and this has caused him significant problems.

Most cases of back pain are self-limiting and probably go within a few weeks. Mark was different.

He had chronic back pain and this had lasted for years. He has had to take time off from work, which has impacted his family’s financial situation, and he’s even had to stay in hospital because his pain has been so severe.

Thankfully, the vast majority of back pain cases have no sinister cause and are called non-specific, and there are a wide variety of therapies that can be useful.

The National Institute for health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines encourage sufferers to continue with normal activities as much as possible. Unfortunately for Mark, this was not possible.

He used to do mixed martial arts classes every week with his son, Kiki, but had to give this up because of his pain. This was upsetting for them both.

After spending time with Mark, I identified some key areas that I felt were playing a role in his back pain – mechanical, psychological and biochemical. My treatment plan involved tackling them all.

Movement specialist

I first examined Mark’s feet and noticed they were not symmetrical – this is like a building with a wonky foundation. I knew that this was likely to be a contributing factor to Mark’s back pain so I took him to see a movement specialist.

He looked at Mark’s full history. Mark had an injury to his right knee and had broken his leg when he was five years old. Both these factors may have contributed to Mark’s back pain.

So what causes back pain?

It is always important to rule out specific causes such as cancer, infections and fractures, so seek advice from a medical professional if you’re concerned.

Latest News

Is Private Health Insurance Becoming a Necessity in the UK?

For decades, the UK has relied on the NHS as its backbone for healthcare. But with growing NHS waiting times, staff shortages, and increased pressure on public services, is it…
READ NOW

The Future of Health Insurance: Trends to Watch in 2025

The health insurance industry is constantly evolving, driven by advancements in technology, shifting customer needs, and a greater focus on wellness. As we head into 2025, several exciting trends are…
READ NOW

Switch Health Celebrates Success at the Cover Excellence Awards 2024!

We are thrilled to share that Switch Health had an incredible evening at the recent Cover Excellence Awards, where we proudly took home the Employee Benefits Intermediary of the Year…
READ NOW

The Impact of Climate Change on Health Insurance

Climate change is reshaping our world, influencing everything from weather patterns to our health. As a consumer in the UK, understanding how these environmental changes can affect your health and…
READ NOW

Case Study: Sarah's Claim Journey

Client Overview: Sarah, a 34-year-old marketing professional from London, had always maintained a comprehensive health insurance policy as part of her commitment to staying healthy. Although she had rarely needed…
READ NOW

NHS Waiting List Grows to 7.62 Million, Adding 19,000 More Patients

Recent data shows that the NHS waiting list in the UK has increased by another 19,000 patients, bringing the total to an eye-watering 7.62 million. This rise highlights the ongoing…
READ NOW