Back problems can be extremely debilitating, and Ireland’s damp climate can often exacerbate problems, especially muscular ones. Sufferers in Dublin can avail of a variety of treatment options.

Acupuncture and massage therapy can be helpful, particularly for pain relief, and chiropractors and osteopaths are widely available. Chiropractors focus on realigning the bones while osteopaths work on the soft tissue in the back; they sometimes provide massage. Craniosacral therapy (CST) is also available. To find a good practitioner, you can ask around friends and colleagues or obtain a list of practitioners from the relevant professional bodies. Chiropractic care and osteopathy are often covered by health insurance, although CST usually is not.