BACK IT UP
Half of Brits have been suffering ‘aches and pains’ for over a year – and admit their lives are ‘on hold’
Find out when you should visit a doctor about back pain below
HALF of Brits have experienced chronic aches and pains for more than a year - with a third admitting their lives are currently "on hold" as a result, according to a poll.
The new figures demonstrate why access to treatment and care, whether it's through the NHS and reduced waiting lists or more affordable private healthcare, is so important.
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The poll of 2,000 adults revealed over half (53 per cent) have suffered discomfort for more than a year, with 24 per cent claiming aches and pains had stopped them from doing what they enjoy in life and a quarter saying they have had to stop working.
This rose to 42 per cent of 55 to 64-year-olds, while 38 per cent of 35 to 44-year-olds have had to reduce their hours or change roles as a result of poor health.
Of those affected, a quarter (26 per cent) have arthritis, of which 43 per cent admitted it impacted their ability to work as they normally would.
A quarter of people suffering with aches and pains have experienced financial stress as a result.
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Yet, 71 per cent of people whose work lives have been affected by aches and pains believe they would return to normal work once they get access to the treatment and care they need - such as hip and knee replacements for arthritis.
Jim Easton, chief executive of hospitals, which commissioned the research, said: “We often downplay ‘aches and pains’ but they amount to a significant impact on people’s quality of life.
“This research has revealed huge numbers of people living with chronic aches and pains affecting every area of their personal and working lives.
"This is why it’s so important we help people access the treatment and care they need whether that’s NHS and reducing waiting lists, or making private healthcare more affordable - because people’s lives are on hold.”
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When it came to personal lives, almost half (46 per cent) of those with health issues have difficulties with everyday tasks such as shopping or housework, and 42 per cent lean on others for support more than they’d like.
More broadly, of all respondents to experience a health issue that’s impacted everyday life – sleeping comfortably, walking long distances, or even sitting or standing for prolonged periods was difficult, according to the data.
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While the parents and grandparents polled struggled to physically keep up with their kids and grand kids respectively, with a fifth feeling guilty for not being as involved as they’d like.
' I couldn’t work, drive, or walk due to excruciating hip pain'
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An example of such a negative impact such ailments can have on everyday life is that of Linda Hand, 58, from Stamford, Lincolnshire.
A self-employed property surveyor, her work is physically demanding, needing to keep fit and agile to climb ladders and crawl through loft spaces.
However, crippling joint pain in her hips and knees stopped her in her tracks, resulting in lost earnings and financial stress.
Her GP advised that the prospect of surgery at her local NHS hospital could be up to a four-year wait due to her relatively young age.
Linda said: “I was very depressed. By this point, I couldn’t work, drive, or walk due to excruciating hip pain.
“Seeing how broken the NHS is and how long I would have to wait for a hip replacement, I felt hopeless.
“At 58, I was starting to think of myself as just getting old and resigning myself to a life of pain while waiting for surgery.”
Linda looked into a local private hospital but couldn’t afford it. She then found Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group, which has a hospital in Barlborough, Derbyshire, a two-hour drive away, and could afford her total hip replacement.
She said: “We are by no means rich and paying for surgery was a big consideration, but I am so glad I went for it. I’m now recovering well and have felt like myself again for the first time in ages.
“I’m able to earn again, which I wouldn’t have been had I not paid to have surgery sooner.
“I’m enjoying playing Padel, doing Pilates, walking and swimming. I feel my new hip has given me my life back.”
Jim Easton, from Practice Plus Group hospitals, added: “We see a lot of self-employed people like Linda choosing our Wellsoon private surgery as it’s very easy to compare the cost of the operation with a loss of earnings over time.
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“Following the recent budget, I expect we’ll see more people take action to get their lives back on track as they’re trapped between not reaching their earning potential, and waiting for the NHS lists to come down.
“I would urge people to ask their GP to compare waiting times at different hospitals under the ‘patient choice’ initiative to get seen as soon as possible- and if considering going private, compare prices within an hour or two of where you live and look for price certainty in what you’ll pay.”
When to get back pain checked by a doctor
We all experience back pain from time-to-time.
Usually, it is a pulled muscle or strain. It could be an injury.
In most cases, back pain eases with time and rest (though it is it advised to keep moving with stretches or activity).
GP Dr Zoe Williams, Sun Health's resident doctor, says if you notice any of these red flags, it’s important to get it checked out by your doctor.
They include:
- Severe back pain when you’re 20 or younger, or over 55
- Loss of control of your bowels or bladder
- Weakness or numbness in a leg or arm
- Foot drop or a disturbed gait
- High fever
- Saddle numbness – that’s of the anus, perineum or genitals
- A history of cancer
- Thoracic pain – that’s pain in your mid-spine
These symptoms could be a sign of a slipped disc – also known as a herniated disc – some types of cancer, infection, fracture, or rheumatoid or vascular diseases.
Numbness in the leg can be a warning sign of sciatica, which often starts with nerve pain in the leg, and can cause weakness as well as pins and needles.
While rare, symptoms such as numbness of your genitals can be a sign of a serious condition, cauda equina syndrome.
This is where something compresses the nerves right at the bottom of the spinal cord, and it is a medical emergency that often requires surgery.
If left, it can lead to paralysis of the leg, incontinence and a loss of sexual function.
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