Only the common cold exceeds back pain as a reason people seek medical assistance in the UK 1

The Problem

Non-specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP) is NOT non-specific, but it is very common.

And sciatica is a description and NOT a diagnosis.

Medicalising LBP has proven disastrous for patients and payers (see costs below). 

Our Solution

Our algorithms screen patients for Red Flags, and then determine which education and exercises are most appropriate for the individual. The gamified system then coaches them via their smartphone to complete their daily tasks to achieve relief AND prevention. With access provided to online group exercise classes and specialist clinicians.

Business Costs

  • 12.5% of all work absences are due to back pain 2

  • Low Back Pain affects 38% of the working population annually, with 12% having a period of absence

  • The average cost of an absence is £1700

Healthcare Costs and Savings

Almost 7 million GP visits are due to back pain annually 1.

LBP is responsible for the loss of 2,313 of disability adjusted life years (DALY) per 100,000 – a much higher ratio than the remainder of musculoskeletal issues (911), depression (704) and diabetes (337) combined 3.

Mitigating against one person needing to see their GP once, would save £45 of GP’s time and £41.35 in prescription charges 4.

Preventing low back pain from becoming chronic would save an average £1074 per patient 5. This would save £628.29 in GPs time, £239.5 in referrals to secondary care and £206.21 in pain relief medication.

Reduce your costs and improve the health of your people

  • Shorten waiting times

  • Match patients to most appropriate education and exercises

  • Increase adherence

Contact us for more information

1  Johnson,J. (2012, October 16). The Prevalence of Back Pain. Retrieved 8 February 2016, from The Prevalence of Back Pain

2  Bevan, S., Quadrello, T., McGee, R., Mahdon, M., Vavrovsky, A., & Barham, L. (2009). Fit For Work? Musculoskeletal Disorders in the European Workforce(pp. 1–144). London: The Work Foundation. Retrieved from Fit for Work pan-European Report

3  NHS England National Pathfinder Projects. (2014). Trauma Programme of Care Pathfinder Project -Low Back Pain and Radicular Pain. National Pathway of Care for Low Back and Radicular Pain(Report of the Clinical Group No. 4th Feb 2015 ver 1.1, first edition 17th December 2014) (pp. 1–82). NHS. Retrieved 18thFebruary 2016 from Pathfinder Low Back and Radicular Pain

4  Curtis, L. (2013). PSSRU | Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2016, from Unit Costs of Health and Social Care 2013

5  Hong, J., Reed, C., Novick, D., & Happich, M. (2013). Costs associated with treatment of chronic low back pain: an analysis of the UK General Practice Research Database. Spine, 38(1), 75–82. Costs Associated with Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain