article_snippet.sent: Cases like Julie's are why some experts feel that too often back pain is written off as something that is to be endured, rather than investigated. '
article_snippet.sent: Eighty per cent of people will experience an episode of severe back pain in people lifetime - but only 8 per cent of these go on to suffer chronic pain,' says Peter Hamlyn, a neurosurgeon at University College Hospital London and the Spine Surgery London. '
article_snippet.sent: Many of these chronic sufferers are simply dismissed as having 'non-specific low back pain'. '
article_snippet.sent: Back pain is 'very often under-investigated', adds surgeon Robert Lee, of the Spire Hospital in Bushey. '
article_snippet.sent: a private surgeon, who sent her for an MRI scan adds: 'Most back pain is the result of muscular strains, and is short-lived.'As long as there are no 'red flag' symptoms - such as numbness around the groin and difficulties passing urine or with your bowels - then painkillers and physiotherapy are good approaches. '
article_snippet.sent: However, an MRI should be offered when back pain goes on for eight weeks or more so that you know what you are dealing with and can treat this accordingly.'