The origins of my back pain
After more than a year of working in general practice (GP) as a GP trainee, I started to notice a dull ache in my lower back. At first, I dismissed it as something minor, a strain that would ease with rest. But a few months down the line, I realised that it had not.
I had spent years in hospitals as a junior doctor without any back issues. The difference, I realised, was the working pattern. In GP, I was spending most of my day sitting while seeing patients, followed by hours of administrative work—writing notes, checking lab results, typing letters and prescriptions. Without noticing, I could remain at my desk for over 9 hours a day. Add in time studying for exams at home, and I was almost constantly sedentary.
The pain became a constant part of my day. It affected my concentration, energy and …
