Nottingham residents among most likely to suffer summer back strain

Summer might mean BBQs, festivals and getting stuck into jobs around the house, but health experts warn it can also trigger a rise in back pain across the UK. From long drives and packed commutes to heavy gardening and DIY projects, warmer weather often brings a sudden spike in physical activity that can leave many Brits dealing with aches, strains and sore backs.

placeholder image — Nottingham residents among most likely to suffer summer back strain | Source: Unsplash

A new study by massage therapy centre Centred analysed major UK cities to uncover where residents may be most at risk of summer-related back pain. Researchers looked at six lifestyle and health factors linked to musculoskeletal strain, including back pain-related search interest, commute times, gardening and DIY activity, obesity rates, festival density and physical activity levels. The findings reveal the UK areas where summer habits may be putting the most pressure on residents’ backs.

Nottingham ranked second overall, just behind Manchester, after recording strong results across a range of indicators linked to summer back pain risk. The city posted 501 back pain-related searches per 10,000 people and also recorded one of the longer commute times among the top 10 at 20.7 minutes, both of which can add extra strain during busy summer months.

It also saw 819 gardening and DIY searches per 10,000 residents, placing it among the highest in the country, alongside obesity levels of 65.8%. Taken together, the figures suggest Nottingham residents are combining busy travel routines with physically demanding seasonal activity, which may be driving up the risk of aches and lower back pain.

Liverpool followed closely in third place after recording 503 back pain-related searches per 10,000 people, the second-highest in the UK, alongside strong levels of DIY activity and similarly high obesity rates, pointing to a mix of lifestyle factors linked to back strain.

Brighton and Hove stood out as the UK’s festival capital, with the highest concentration of major events, while Cambridge still placed in the top five despite being one of the healthiest cities overall, thanks to long commutes and high DIY interest.

Bristol and Worcester both ranked highly for gardening and DIY activity alongside active lifestyles, while Norwich, Southampton and Lincoln rounded off the top 10 with a combination of higher back pain searches, obesity levels and more physically demanding day-to-day routines.

Zac Botham, spokesperson for Centred, said: “A lot of people become far more active during summer without really easing themselves into it. One weekend of heavy gardening, long drives or carrying camping equipment can be enough to trigger back pain, particularly for people who spend much of the year sitting at desks or being less active during winter.”

“What makes summer back pain difficult is that many of the activities linked to it are things people enjoy and don’t immediately think of as physically demanding. Festivals, DIY projects, road trips and even spending hours in the garden can all place strain on the lower back if posture, lifting technique and recovery are ignored.”

“Simple habits such as stretching regularly, taking breaks during long journeys, lifting properly and avoiding overdoing physical tasks in one go can make a huge difference. Back pain often builds up gradually, so recognising the early warning signs before strain becomes more serious is really important,” Botham said.

The UK areas most likely to suffer from summer back pain: