The back is an extremely complex part of the body, and is involved in almost every movement we make. Even just standing upright means the muscles have to work against the pull of gravity. With this almost constant activity, it's not surprising the back is exposed to a whole variety of stresses and strains.

Some people believe the back is better suited to creatures that move around on four legs, rather than those of us who make do with two. Certainly, the pressure of gravity is more evenly distributed when you're on all fours, and that's why back pain sufferers sometimes find it less painful to crawl than walk. Still, back problems do affect animals, most notably horses and some breeds of dog.

The pain you feel in your back is a symptom. Pinpointing the cause can be far from easy. Often, but not always, it's a problem with the spine or muscles that support it. But it could also be a gynaecological problem or some kind of kidney disease.