Do you experience aches and pains as you go about your day?
You’re not alone.
According to new research, the average person in the UK spends 14 days a month in pain. They also typically wait 10 months before seeking help from a healthcare professional.
Whilst aches and pains are common, especially as you get older, it doesn’t mean you need to put up with chronic pain.
We wanted to learn about how people manage their pain, and the reasons why some delay getting help. So, we surveyed 2,000 UK residents to find out more. Here’s what we discovered.
Top 10 Aches and Pains in the UK
From our research, we found that three-quarters of UK residents (74%) suffer from musculoskeletal (bone or joint) pain or discomfort regularly. And two-thirds (66%) claim this has an impact on their everyday life.
The top 10 most common aches and pains suffered by people in the UK are:
- Lower back (60%)
- Knee pain (44%)
- Shoulder pain (30%)
- Neck pain (30%)
- Ankles/feet (26%)
- Wrists/hands (25%)
- Hips (22%)
- Upper back (17%)
- Elbows (6%)
- Jaw pain (6%)
Why Do So Many Young People Experience Back Pain?
Although aches and pains are typically associated with older people, our research found that the average person starts to experience pain at just 38 years old. In some cases, it can be as young as early 20s.
A quarter (25%) of those surveyed aged between 18 and 24 struggle with upper back pain and more than half (52%) suffer from lower back pain. As many as 25% also say these aches and pains have a significant impact on their everyday life.
So, why is this happening? Poor posture is to blame for many – 38% of 18-24-year-olds claim bad posture to be the main cause of their aches and pains. Around one in five (21%) blame it on sitting at a desk for long periods, and 15% put it down to carrying a heavy backpack on one shoulder.
Top 10 Causes of Aches and Pains in the UK
According to our survey, the top 10 causes of aches and pains in the UK across all age groups are:
- Poor posture (31%)
- Sitting at a desk for a long time (22%)
- Manual labour (22%)
- Previous injuries from accidents (18%)
- Previous injuries from sports (18%)
- Uncomfortable mattress/pillow (13%)
- Lack of sunlight and vitamin D (11%)
- Long walks (11%)
- Conditions, such as scoliosis (10%)
- Housework (10%)
Is Your Desk Job to Blame? How Sitting Affects Your Body
Many of us spend hours each day sitting at desks or hunched over laptops.
Prolonged sitting and poor posture can put a lot of pressure on our spine, leading to muscle tension, joint pain, and exacerbation of common back problems, such as sciatica.
According to our survey, 22% of people felt that sitting for long periods of time was the main contributing factor to their aches and pains. So, how does sitting affect your body?
Hip joints
Sitting in one position for extended periods has the potential to do lasting damage to your hip joints. The surfaces of your joints rely on movement to get the nutrients they need via the joint fluid (synovial fluid). If you aren’t moving around, your joints don’t get the fluid, and therefore the nutrients, they need.
Simple things like getting up every hour and taking a short walk can make a world of difference.
Back
Poor posture while sitting can put significant strain on your spine. When you round your shoulders and hold your head forward, the ligaments in your spine become overstretched and your spinal discs strained. This can cause issues with surrounding soft tissue, muscle groups, and joints.
Making sure you’re not slouching and setting up an ergonomic workstation can help prevent these problems from occurring.
Differences in Pain Management Between Men and Women
While both men and women report similar aches and pains, the causes of these pains and our approach to managing them are quite different.
Lower back pain is the most common issue that both men and women struggle to live with (42% of men and 40% of women). It seems that poor posture is the main culprit (30% of men and 33% of women).
However, men are more likely to blame manual labour, previous sports injuries, or working out at the gym as the cause of their aches and pains.
Our survey also revealed that:
- 42% of men had difficulty running due to their aches and pains, while 41% of women said their ability to get a good night’s sleep was most affected.
- 28% of women said their aches and pains made it harder for them to do household chores, compared to just 15% of men.
When we looked at how men and women manage their pain, we found that 53% of women felt their pain was not severe enough to warrant professional help, compared to 39% of men.
Women are also more likely to use over-the-counter pain meds (59% of women compared to 53% of men). While men will more often choose prescription medication (28% of men vs. 24% of women).
Why Physical Activity Becomes Harder as We Age
As we age, moving our bodies can become more difficult. When we reach our 30s, our bone and muscle mass begins to gradually decrease, which can make our joints feel stiffer and our muscles less efficient at repairing the daily wear and tear. Conditions, such as osteoarthritis, also become much more prevalent as we get older.
When your joint is healthy, the bones move freely in multiple directions due to the hard, smooth surface of the cartilage. With osteoarthritis, your cartilage becomes thinner until eventually bone is rubbing on bone. As well as pain, stiffness and inflammation, you may also hear a grinding noise when you move. This can make day-to-day activities more difficult.
According to our research, 80% of people aged 55-64 and 81% of those over 65 said they suffer from joint pain or discomfort. This is impacting their day-to-day activities and general enjoyment of life. Specifically for the over 65s:
- 56% struggle to lift heavy objects
- 46% struggle with standing for extended periods
- 45% have problems sleeping
- 44% struggle with gardening
- 40% find going for a walk difficult
- 35% struggle to jog or run
- 12% find it difficult to play with their grandchildren
So, what can you do to help?
Move
Whether it’s running, weightlifting, yoga, or walking, keeping yourself active is a great way to maintain muscle and bone strength as you age. The key is finding a form of movement you enjoy.
As Daniel Taylor, Senior Physiotherapist at Ramsay Health Care, says: “The challenge is that building strength and confidence in movement takes time and effort, so make sure you make it enjoyable and give yourself a desirable goal to work towards!”
Eat Well
Incorporating a nutrient-rich diet early can help prevent or mitigate joint-related issues and ensure a better quality of life. Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a specialist dietitian at Ramsay Health Care UK, explains: “Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining joint health and overall mobility, with nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids essential for bone strength and reducing inflammation.”
“It's vital not to wait until older age to focus on joint health. Incorporating a nutrient-rich diet early can help prevent or mitigate joint-related issues and ensure a better quality of life.”
How Do I Know if My Pain Is Severe Enough to Seek Professional Help?
According to our research, the average person spends 14 days a month in pain and waits 10 months before getting help.
When asked why they chose to wait, 47% said they didn’t think their pain was severe enough to warrant professional help. A quarter (24%) said they ignore the pain and hope it goes away, and 35% believed the pain would get better on its own.
But by waiting so long, it’s likely your pain may get worse rather than better.
Daniel Taylor explains: “If your pain has been persistent for over six weeks, it is worsening or if you are worried and feel you need support, then it is very important you seek help. If pain has been present for several months it can become stubborn and more complicated to resolve. Delaying things, even if your problem isn’t that severe, is unwise."
Do We Reply Too Much on Over-The-Counter-Medicines?
56% of those surveyed say they use over-the-counter medicines as their go-to pain management method. Although they might be convenient and may be helpful for mild aches and pains, they’re not always the best course of action.
Often, medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen simply masks the issue, rather than dealing with the root cause. You also need to be careful of any potential side effects of taking over-the-counter medication long-term.
Is There More to Health Than Medication?
Over-the-counter medication may be a common way for many people to manage their aches and pains, but more and more people are looking beyond it. While 18% of Brits will go down the traditional route of speaking to their GP, 37% of sought a specialist’s help directly for pain management. This could be a physiotherapist, orthopaedic surgeon or even a dietitian.
Looking more holistically at our health can help us identify potential lifestyle changes that could help reduce our aches and pains. Regular movement, and making healthy changes to our diet, for example, can help.
Our survey tells us we’re now seeing a growing trend of people using alternative therapies and holistic approaches, as well as investigating new health trends. Specifically:
- 28% of people use stretching or posture trends to help with aches and pains
- 14% have tried CBD (Cannabidiol)
- 12% have followed specific diets or nutritional trends
How Can Physiotherapy Help with Common Aches and Pains?
According to our research, 21% of people believe that physiotherapy can only help with new injuries and not existing aches and pains.
However, the benefit of physiotherapy is that it can help restore movement and reduce pain in long-term conditions as well as more recent problems.
Physiotherapy uses manual therapy to manipulate, massage and mobilise the body tissues to help relieve discomfort. You may also be given some strengthening and stretching exercises to complete at home to help improve your mobility and function. Not only can physiotherapy help reduce your pain, but it can also help strengthen your muscles to reduce your risk of injury in the future.
Understanding How to Access Private Healthcare: Exploring Your Options
Our survey found that 43% of people would be keen to use private health services to manage their aches and pains, but they aren’t sure how to access them.
At Ramsay Health Care, we make accessing private services quick and easy. From orthopaedic surgeons to physiotherapists, we have more than 3,000 specialist consultants spread across the UK who are experts in their fields.
You can enquire about our services online, and we will get you seen fast without any long wait times.
Plus, we have payment options to help cover the cost – whether you choose a 0% payment plan to spread the cost over several months or have private medical insurance.
Our Pain Management Services at Ramsay Health Care
At Ramsay Health Care, we provide a wide range of pain management services and orthopaedic treatments that target bone or joint pain. We treat many aches and pains, including back pain, shoulder pain and knee pain.
We have experts and specialists based right across the country in our hospitals. They are available for consultations and pre-test scans to diagnose the underlying cause of your pain. Once we understand the root cause, we provide specialist treatment covering orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapy , and more.
Search for a treatment near you or get more advice on how to manage joint pain.
Methodology
Research of 2,000 UK residents was commissioned by Ramsay Health Care and was conducted by Perspectus Global in January 2024.