Other problems linked to back pain

As this video illustrates there are many ways that back pain can affect your life.


Depression is by far the most common emotion associated with chronic back pain. The type of depression that often accompanies chronic pain is referred to as major depression or clinical depression. This type of depression goes beyond what would be considered normal sadness or feeling "down for a few days". Major depression is thought to be four times greater in people with chronic back pain than in the general population. In research studies on depression in chronic low back pain patients seeking treatment at pain clinics, prevalence rates are even higher. An average of 62 per cent of patients show some type of depression or depressive problem. In a recent study it was found that the rate of major depression increased in a linear fashion with greater pain severity.

Chronic back pain often makes it difficult to sleep, leading to fatigue and reduced functional ability during the day. In turn, poor sleep and changes in your mood can make the pain worse and more difficult to treat. If you have a bad night's sleep the chances are that you will find your back pain harder to cope with the next day.

If you feel any of these apply to you, you must not be afraid to talk to your GP or whoever is caring for you.

The good news
There are practical steps to reduce your pain. The more you understand your pain and work with your health care team, the more likely you are to reduce your pain.

Your pain diary

By keeping a diary of your pain, you’ll be providing your doctor with the right information to give you the most accurate diagnosis possible. Your diary will work best if you include the points listed below:

• Make sure to give a clear history of how your pain started and what you have done to reduce it
• Any medicines you have taken and the effect they have had
• Whether or not the pain interferes with your life, for example:
  • Tiredness, being woken by pain or pain that is worse the day after a poor night’s sleep
  • If your mood changes e.g. becoming more irritable with friends or family
  • Physical changes such as loss of appetite, weight loss, etc.

Once your doctor has all the information, he/she will hopefully be able to recommend the best course of treatment for you.