"I now realise that keeping active is the best treatment for my pain. Now I try and carry on as normal, and walk to University every day."
Patrick Carlin (40) is a mature student from Aberystwyth. He has suffered from back pain on and off for 5 years. When suffering badly he has consulted his doctor and has been advised that keeping active will help him with recovery of the problem:
"I don't really know that much about back pain so, when I have suffered myself, I haven't always been sure of the best course of action. In my ignorance I usually end up in bed and with something hot and cold on the sore area!"
Patrick realised that this isn't the answer to a swift recovery. He now takes daily walks up Penglais Hill in Aberystwyth.
"I now realise that keeping active is the best treatment for my pain. Now I try and carry on as normal, and walk to University every day."
Click to view the profile of Dr Sally Venn 
