Home Page About BackCare Care for your Back Your back at work BackCare Library Research Fundraising/Campaigns Awareness Week Helpline Local Practitioners Join BackCare BackCare Shop Products & Services Press Releases What's On Email BackCare Search the Website		My initial contact with BackCare came when I was trying to get fitter after some lower back problems. I found a local group that did hydrotherapy sessions in the pool which was part of a local hospital. This group met once a week and did exercises under the supervision of NHS physiotherapists. I found that not only was it of benefit to me to do these sessions, but it was also good to meet a number of fellow sufferers with a variety of experiences of coping with back problems. I later found that this group was the Reading branch of BackCare, which existed solely for the purposes of the hydrotherapy sessions. Soon after I joined, it was decided to form an informal committee for the purpose of ensuring the smooth running of the group and to help recruit new members so that we were financially viable. This was successful and the group prospered. Unfortunately some two years ago the hospital, Battle Hospital, was closed, and all its functions transferred to the Royal Berkshire which was undergoing a large expansion. Although a new hydrotherapy pool was in the plans, it was not going to materialise immediately, and it became necessary for the group to find an alternative. Thanks to the hard work of our chair and treasurer a pool at a local leisure spa and fitness centre was found which was willing to accommodate us. This did have some advantages in that it was more luxurious than the previous venue! The physiotherapists were still those from the NHS, which has the additional benefit that they are good at referring their patients to us, and this, together with some selective advertising has meant that our numbers have been maintained. Since the costs are fixed, ie hire of pool and physios it is essential that we keep the numbers attending at viable level and when we first moved we did loose a few for various reasons. The NHS pool at the Royal Berks is now operational after some initial teething problems. However, at our AGM, in April it was decided unanimously to carry on where we are since the facilities are better. As a member of a BackCare group, I see Talkback regularly and some two years’ ago I saw Chris Hughes plea for Helpline volunteers. It seemed to me to be something well worth doing, so I sent my name in. The training was interesting and challenging. It also made me wonder if I would be capable of doing what was required! It was however excellent training for being on the Helpline, as you have to be prepared for anything. I believe that we give a valuable service which is needed by people suffering from back problems. Just by listening and offering a sympathetic ear we can help counteract and possibly alleviate some of the feelings of panic, anger and/or depression which people can experience. The trouble with the simple term ‘bad back’ is that it covers such a wide range of conditions. There is the very simple bit of a twinge, to the constant pain and relatively immobile state. Over the years the attitude towards back problems has changed. My husband had trouble some 40 years ago. That was diagnosed as lumbago, a term not used today, and the cure was to lay flat for several days! Nowadays, the attitude would be to encourage people to move and exercise as much as possible. This seems to be a more positive approach. I do feel that there should be more support given to people, particularly in the early stages, so that they can learn to live with and manage their problem as effectively as possible. Until that happens I believe the Helpline volunteers are much needed.