A BACK pain expert is offering free advice to sufferers at an information evening.

Mr Neil Orpen, consultant spinal surgeon at BMI The Ridgeway Hospital in Wroughton, near Swindon, is holding a back pain information evening for anyone suffering with back pain and not sure of how to get help.

"Often we aren’t sure how to manage back pain, especially if you’ve never had it before,’ he said

"‘I want to educate people on how to look after their backs and advise on what to do if back pain is affecting your daily activities for longer than six weeks," he said.

"There is such a large choice of chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals who can help with back pain but knowing who to see and when can be confusing and overwhelming when you just want to relieve back pain, and that’s why I want to hold this information evening."

Almost 31 million work days were lost in 2013 due to back, neck and muscle problems, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The back pain information evening is being held in the physiotherapy department at the hospital at 7pm on Thursday February 25 and anyone is welcome to book a place by calling 0800 096 2605.