A new UK survey of people living with back pain and sciatica has revealed the extent to which sufferers feel dismissed by those around them, including employers, despite the long-term toll the condition takes on daily life.
The research, conducted by online rehabilitation programme Back in Shape among its patients, found that 88% of respondents have lived with back pain for more than a year, while 37% have experienced symptoms for over a decade. Many said their condition continues to be treated as minor or short-term rather than a lasting health issue.
Almost three quarters of respondents (74%) said their pain is often downplayed or not taken seriously, with just 26% feeling it is recognised as a legitimate and debilitating condition. A majority (69%) reported feeling pressured to push through pain even when experiencing significant discomfort, with this pressure coming most commonly from family (57%) friends (57%) and employers (44%).
Michael Fatica, lead osteopath and co-founder of Back in Shape, said the findings point to a wider cultural misunderstanding. “Back pain is still widely seen as something people should be able to ‘get over’, yet for many it is persistent, complex and profoundly disruptive,” he said. “It affects confidence, mental wellbeing, relationships and a person’s ability to participate in everyday life.”
Impact on Work and Daily Life
The survey also examined how back pain affects everyday routines. Hobbies and leisure activities were affected for 86% of respondents, while 76% reported a negative impact on their social life. Sleep was disrupted for 64% and 63% said the condition affects their ability to work. Only 3% said their back pain has no effect on daily life at all.
Fatica noted that disrupted sleep and reduced activity can compound the problem. “Poor sleep and reduced activity create a cycle that makes recovery more difficult and increases the risk of further physical and emotional strain,” he said.
Engagement with healthcare services was widespread but rarely led to sustained improvement. Among those surveyed, 71% had undergone MRI scans, 52% had X-rays, 87% had tried physiotherapy, 68% had seen a chiropractor and 49% had consulted a specialist. Despite this, only 9% reported lasting relief from these interventions.
“Many patients follow all the advice and attend all appointments, yet are left feeling stuck and unsure if their pain will ever improve,” Fatica added.
Case for Resistance-based Rehabilitation
Fatica argues that lasting improvement depends on active rehabilitation rather than passive treatment alone, with a particular focus on strengthening the muscles that support the spine. Yet only 56% of patients had been offered squats as part of their rehabilitation and just 36% had been shown hip-hinge movements, which he described as a missed opportunity.
“Strong back, core and leg muscles stabilise the spine and reduce strain on spinal structures. Weakness leaves the back vulnerable to injury and ongoing pain,” he said.
Government guidelines recommend more than two strength sessions a week targeting major muscle groups, yet only 7.3% of men and 4.1% of women meet this threshold, a gap Fatica believes increases the risk of minor injuries becoming long-term conditions.
“Back pain is not an inevitable part of ageing,” he said. “With the right approach many cases can be mitigated or even prevented.”