Back and neck pain: Overview
Pain in the back and neck
Pain can occur anywhere down the back and neck:1
- Pain that occurs from the base of the skull to the shoulder is referred to as neck pain
- Pain in the region between the base of the neck to the bottom of the ribcage is classified as upper and middle back pain
- Pain between the bottom of the ribcage and top of the legs is known as lower back pain
Back or neck pain affects most people at some point in their lives. Lower back pain is a particularly common problem in need of a solution.1
The underlying causes of pain in these bodily regions can be difficult to uncover, but effective symptomatic relief is available.
Back and neck pain are highly prevalent
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Globally, over half a billion people have lower back pain and more than a third of a billion have neck pain lasting more than 3 months.2
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The lifetime prevalence of non-specific lower back pain is thought to be around 60–70% in industrialised countries.3
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According to a global online survey of over 24,000 people across 24 countries, the back, lower back and neck are the most common sites for regular body pain.4*
Women are more likely to suffer from regular back pain than men, and back pain is especially common amongst parents.5
*These data were derived from the Global Pain Index, a survey which asked people to self-define the pain they had experienced at any point in time.4
Back or neck pain can be disabling
Back and neck pain can negatively affect a person's day-to-day life
Around 80% of people with back pain, lower back pain or neck pain report a significant impact of their pain on their day-to-day lives.4
Lower back pain is estimated as the most disabling condition in the world,6 and such body pain negatively impacts people’s mood and self-esteem, and makes people feel older than they are. Despite this, many people are not aware of the source of their pain – a concerning fact, given that the majority of body pain is chronic.4,5
Meet Laura and Riya
Laura
Laura, 32, is an active mother who loves to take her children swimming.
Recently, she hurt her back and cannot do as much with her family as she used to. She is having difficulty bending, twisting and reaching, which makes caring for two young children even more challenging than ever.
Laura needs a solution that offers powerful and rapid relief from back pain.
She explains, “I want my back pain to go away, so I can get back to enjoying life!”
Riya
Riya, 48, works as a shop assistant in a large grocery store.
She spends most of her working day on her feet and has recently been experiencing aches and twinges in her back. She can’t afford to take time off work, but she is on medications for a couple of chronic conditions and is reluctant to take any more tablets.
Riya needs a solution that offers effective pain relief and fast recovery from back pain.
“I’m on my feet a lot, so I need a treatment that can help me stay that way,” she describes.
Understanding back pain
Signs and symptoms
Explore an overview of how to recognise back pain and know when to refer patients.
Learn more
Optizorb technology
Discover more about this revolutionary technology that allows delivery of paracetamol fast and effectively when it is needed most.
Voltaren Emulgel product
Learn more about Voltaren Emulgel product that contain this potent anti-inflammatory ingredient.1
Patient care resources
Access a leaflet for your patients that explains how Voltaren tablets and soft capsules can help relieve their back pain.
