Most of us will suffer from simple back pain at some point in our lives. Whilst running during severe pain is not recommended, leading an active life will help to reduce the risk of developing back pain.

More info: nhs.More info: nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain

MAIN CONCERNS Doing more harm than good. Triggering pain. Managing pain. Poor running posture.

Ann Currie almost gave up on exercise in her 20s when she was struggling with longterm back pain. She’s now a run leader and triathlete. Here are her tips:

1. Persevere in seeking the right help. I had to be persistent in asking for help; my GP was very dismissive initially. Eventually I was referred to a back pain management programme, which was a breakthrough in my recovery.

2. Don’t see your body or the pain as the enemy. Focus on your good days and what your body can do. Now I’m older, I appreciate that my body has done some amazing things such as ultramarathons and triathlons. I’m proud that I successfully carried my twins to term in a healthy pregnancy.

3. Pace your recovery. Most of us have good days where we try to do too much and set back our recovery. Be patient and start with walking or swimming (avoid breaststroke as it can put a strain on your back). You can then progress to walk/run and then on to running.

4. Set yourself specific exercise goals. Don’t just say “I need to walk more”. Set yourself a specific goal, for example, four x 30-minute walks this week. Put them in your diary and tick them off so you can measure your progress.