"Do it yourself" back pain relief could save NHS millions and save you from agony

It's a common health condition that affects nearly all of us; from office workers to pregnant women. Low back pain can cause long-term misery if left untreated, but a London physiotherapist is claiming that self diagnosis and treatment is possible and could save the NHS millions of pounds every year.

Statistics show that low back pain affects 17 million people in the UK every year and 80% of Britons will suffer from the condition at some stage in their life. It's estimated that the overall cost of back pain in the UK (including the NHS, business and the economy) stretches to £10 billion each year, with up to five million working days being lost per annum.

Paul Boxcer has spent many years observing the condition, which has enabled him to write a book. "The inception of my unique approach began several years ago," explains Paul. "I was becoming very frustrated at seeing many people suffer needlessly for months or even years on end with low back pain or sciatica believing nothing could be done, when all they needed was the appropriate advice and exercise programme in order for them to cure themselves of the pain they were suffering."

Paul has treated thousands of patients just by educating them on how to effectively manage their pain. "The human body has an innate desire to heal itself of any injury it suffers. With regards to low back pain or sciatica, it is nearly always certain activities or postures we adopt during our day-to-day lives, along with muscle imbalances - either weak and/or tight muscles - which are preventing recovery," advises Paul.

"The best part is that there's no need to wait for a physiotherapy appointment to begin implementing my approach. Everyone can begin treating their back pain straight away and therefore avoid weeks, months or even years of unnecessary suffering."

FACTFILE:

Paul Boxcer qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy - in 1997. Since then, he has gained over 13 years of experience treating people suffering with low back pain and sciatica. Before qualifying as a Physiotherapist he spent four and a half years working for a bank in the City of London. Not too keen on spending the rest of his life behind a desk, he decided to spend some time travelling the world before settling down in pursuit of a rewarding career. For more information visit: www.spinal-health-care.com

Low Back Pain & Sciatica is published by Spinal Healthcare in the UK in May 2011. ISBN: 9780956293107, Hardback, RRP: £27.99. Available in all good bookshops.