to take sick leave over a bad back?

[Ormirian]

I know it sounds really naff and the worst sort of cliche skive but I am in agony. Going to the chiro on Friday but I can't get an appointment before then - I am getting so tired by the end of the day because of the pain, and bad-tempered.

Problem is it I know it won't hurt any less at home so I feel like a bit of a twat ringing in sick.

MOna Lisa has suggested rest and that working will cause more harm, I'm afraid that is really bad advice for common back pain, research has demonstrated that gentle activity, swimming, pilates, yoga etc... is the best thing that you can do, followed by workplace adjustments, relaxation etc... Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physios that offer spinal manipulation will also help but obviously depends on the skill of the practitioner and whether it works for you. Ask to see their qualifications if you go private. Physios will be registered with the Health Professions Council, you can check the register online.

I hope you've gone into work, OP. "Back pain" costs this nation £67billion a YEAR! Think on...

Says the woman who's rang in sick because she's got a cough and cold

Yes I have bupcakes. I am sitting here snivelling through the pain

I knew you would. I never had you down as a moaning malingerer.

Another vote here for an osteopath. We have a fab one, my husband has a permanent disability and she really helps palliatively with that, but I have a disc problem that recurrs every couple of years and a couple of sessions with her sorts it.

If you let me know whereabouts you are I will see who my osteo reccommends. It's essential that you get a good one; my husband saw one for 6 months (every 3 weeks) and she never once in all that time managed to 'crack' a deep seated place in his back which releases tension on his diaphragm and relieves an enormous amount of pain/pressure. 5 mins after a consult with this new woman, and she put a pillow against his back, put her knee on the pillow ~ audible crack, hey presto. The relief was palpable.

So, what is the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor? I live near a chiropractic college so might investigate there.

Are either available on the NHS?

Grockle, my old GP in London would fund Chiropractor on the NHS, something I'd wish I'd known first before spending on treatment with a private chiropractor so some do, it's worth asking. Both my husband and I have seen different chiropractors with alot of sucess, I had a very bad whiplash incident and really was in alot of pain for about a year before starting treatment. If there is a college near you I would be down there like a shot!!!

Oh that's good news - I'll call them tomorrow. Thanks!

Why on earth would it be a skive?? Back pain and depression account for most more absence from work than any other complaints .

The reason that back pain accounts for huge amounts of time off is that back pain is an extremely common issue caused by many different factors, there are alot of prevailing myths about back pain eg, you must rest in order to heal or you must not work which research has demonstrated are more likely to mean the the initial back pain turns into a chronic condition.

Back pain is caused by genetic factors, biological factors, social factors and psychological factors. It is a fairly complex mix so in the OP's case for example [not saying it is just an example] her pain may be caused a static position during the day at work, perhaps not being comfortably sat at her desk, being stressed at work, not taking enough rest breaks to allow her muscles to relax, stooping to lift her children at home which is excerbated by being tall and so on.......

Another visit to chiro yesterday - haven't have time to look into osteo yet. I feel a bit better but not £30s worth I have just taken delivery of a small TENS unit - here's hoping it will help because I am near screaming POINT!

sexbomb - I'm in Somerset so any recommendations would be gratefully recceived.