As people are working from home more since the start of COVID-19, we have seen an increased number of patients presenting with low back pain. Why? There are several factors that could lead to the cause of lower back pain, some might include:

• Age
• Poor physical fitness
• Weight
• Endless hours at a desk
• Poor setup of your workstation

We have seen that people with lower back pain struggle with simple activities of daily living like struggling to get a goodnight’s sleep, doing their daily chores, exercising, or applying themselves to their work or study.

Back pain does not necessarily mean that there is a pathological cause. A more recent and common cause of back pain is the result of modern human lifestyle, which has led humans to be more sedentary and deconditioned. The muscles in our back are there to support the spine and if our muscles are weak, we can begin to experience pain. So, get moving! Take regular breaks from your desk and start including activity or exercise into your daily routine. It can be as simple as going for a walk within your community for 40 minutes a day!

Fortunately, most low back pain can be resolved in 6 weeks with conservative treatment and advice. Should you prefer to have your pain assessed then you may visit a physiotherapist or doctor to gain an assessment of your spine and joints. A physiotherapist will take a full history and assess your spine and the surrounding joints to see how well they move. The physiotherapist will use gentle techniques to reduce your pain as soon as possible and plan an exercise program for your rehabilitation. She/He may also guide you on setting up a good, ergonomic workstation for the best posture while you work!