The nation's ongoing pain crisis: Living with Back Pain Report

Back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition in the UK, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. While symptoms can range from occasional discomfort to persistent pain, the effects often extend beyond physical health, influencing mental wellbeing, work and everyday life.

To better understand the nation's experience of back pain, Circle Health Group surveyed 2,000 adults across the UK and analysed their responses. The Living with Back Pain Report combines these findings with expert commentary from our consultants and other experts to explore how people are living with back pain today, the ways they manage their symptoms, and the barriers that can prevent them from accessing care.

To read our Living with Back Pain report in full, complete with our expert tips to manage pain, download the report here. To see our top findings, continue to read below.

1. Back pain is a part of everyday life

Back pain has become an accepted part of everyday life for many people. Our research found that one in three adults experience back pain every week, while a further 16% routinely experience it after certain activities.

To put that into context, only 7% of respondents said they had never experienced back pain, highlighting how widespread the condition has become.

What’s more, while back pain is often associated with older age, our findings show that it affects adults across every stage of life. Although 96% of those aged 65 and over have experienced back pain at some point, so have 89% of millennials (25–34), demonstrating that the gap between generations is far smaller than many might expect.

Younger adults are also the most concerned about developing back pain in the future. Among Gen Z (18–24), back pain ranks as the second biggest health concern (33%), just behind illness (35%) and level with joint pain (33%). Millennials are even more likely to worry about back pain (39%), while almost half (48%) cite losing their mobility as their greatest fear as they age. Through Circle Health Group’s health matters blog, we already have a host of information around maintaining a healthy lifestyle to maximise future generations' potential.

Anees Gulfraz, Senior Physiotherapist at Circle Health Group, has shed insight into staying active to prevent back pain:

“The sooner you get active, the better. But there isn’t one exercise that guarantees you’ll avoid back pain, and you don’t need to spend hours in the gym to protect your back. The most effective exercise is one you enjoy and can stick to consistently.

“I would recommend a combination of strength and stretching; this way you're building muscle and keeping the body flexible at a minimum. It can be as simple as trying out a new Pilates class or just increasing your daily step count.

“Even if you're suffering with persistent back pain, try not to cut out all movement, unless you have been put on bed rest by a professional.”

2. Back pain is impacting the nation’s mental health

Our research found that persistent back pain can make it harder to stay active, which can take a significant toll on mental health over time.

Among those living with recurring or persistent back pain, 38% said it had left them feeling frustrated or irritable, while more than a quarter (28%) had experienced low mood or depression.

Other key findings revealed:

• Nearly one in five (18%) reported reduced confidence and self-esteem
• 16% said their anxiety had worsened
• 15% felt isolated or had withdrawn from social situations

The impact on mental wellbeing appears to be particularly pronounced among younger adults. Those aged 18 to 24 were almost three times as likely as over-65s to say back pain had negatively affected their mental health. They were also five times more likely to report that back pain had disrupted their work or studies, highlighting how the condition can affect emotional wellbeing alongside education, careers and day-to-day life.

By contrast, older adults were the least likely to report that back pain had negatively affected any aspect of their lives, with 41% of those aged 55 and over saying it had not had a negative impact. This may reflect differences in expectations of pain, lifestyle, or the ways people adapt to living with long-term conditions over time.

3. Back pain is disrupting the nation’s sleep

The survey also revealed that respondents’ sleep is the area most impacted by back pain.

Less than half of adults (43%) rate their sleep as good, while almost two in five (38%) described it as average. A further 17% said they experience poor sleep, including 3% who rated their sleep as very poor.

Sleep quality varies considerably by age. More than half of millennials (57%) rated their sleep as good, making them the best sleepers of any generation in the study. In contrast, just 39% of adults over 65 said they sleep well, while almost one in four (23%) described their sleep as poor.

The findings also suggest that older adults are investing less in their sleep environment. Those over 65 reported keeping their mattress for an average of 6 years, compared with just 3 years among 25 to 34-year-olds. They were also more likely to have older pillows, replacing them every 2 years on average, compared with 1 year among millennials.

Liam Stapley, Senior Physiotherapist at Circle Health Group, uncovers how your sleep setup isn’t only for a good night’s rest:

“A supportive mattress and pillow can improve comfort and sleep quality, particularly for people with back pain. If you're waking up with stiffness that eases after getting up, check for dips and uneven wear, as you’ll most likely need a new mattress.

“If you consistently sleep better elsewhere, it may also be a sign your mattress needs replacing. However, a new mattress isn't a cure for persistent back pain, it is always worth seeking professional advice.”

4. Back pain is directly impacting worker productivity

Back pain is having a measurable impact on the UK's workforce, affecting both employee wellbeing and business productivity.

Among those who are in work and have experienced persistent or recurring back pain in the last 12 months, one in 10 say back pain often affects their ability to do their job. On average, workers lose around three working days each year due to back pain.

Younger working-age adults appear to feel the impact of back pain on their jobs most acutely. More than a quarter (26%) of 18 to 24-year-olds say back pain affects their ability to work at least sometimes, closely followed by 25 to 34-year-olds (24%). By comparison, this falls to just 14% among those aged 45 to 54, suggesting the pain can be particularly disruptive during the early stages of people's careers.

Despite the impact, workplace support remains limited. The survey found that 44% of UK workers say their employer provides no guidance or support on back health, despite many spending long periods sitting at a desk or working in repetitive positions.

For employers, the findings highlight the importance of taking a proactive approach to musculoskeletal health. Through Circle Health Group's corporate healthcare services, employers can provide employees with fast access to physiotherapy, consultant appointments and diagnostics, helping them receive the care they need sooner.

5. Brits are not getting help for their back pain

Despite the prevalence of recurring back pain, many people are not accessing professional support.

Among those who experienced persistent or recurring back pain in the last 12 months, only 42% successfully sought treatment, while a further 12% tried to access help but were unable to. Almost half (44%) did not seek any help at all.

For many, the decision not to seek treatment stemmed from the belief that their symptoms were not serious enough. Around a third (34%) said they didn't think their pain warranted medical attention, while an equal proportion relied on self-treatment.

More than a quarter (26%) assumed nothing could be done, highlighting how misconceptions about back pain may prevent people from accessing effective care.

Among those who did seek support, GPs remained the most common first point of contact (42%), followed by musculoskeletal specialists such as physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors (37%).

However, many also turned to informal or digital sources, with 31% seeking advice from friends or family, 22% using health and wellbeing apps, 18% consulting AI chatbots and 17% searching online. While these sources can provide general information, they cannot replace a personalised clinical assessment, particularly where symptoms are persistent or worsening.

If you are interested in reading the full report, click here. For help with back pain, browse the services and treatments available at Circle Health Group.