This summer millions of Brits are gearing up to embark on their much-anticipated holiday getaways - whether by car, plane, train or coach.
Yet, this surge in travel is set to contribute to what's being labelled as a "neck and back pain epidemic". Speaking on BBC Morning Live, TV doc Dr Xand van Tulleken dished out a stark warning that neck and back woes are on the rise, and it's not just frequent travellers who should be concerned.
He said: "We've gone in 2019 from 2.6 million people to 2.9 million people, according to the Office of National Statistics at the moment. And almost one million of those people are off work or economically inactive because of their neck and back pain - so it's a very big deal."
On the topic of what's behind this pain pandemic, he explained: "I think the main thing is all the different things in our lives that cause it because it's very related to how we live, how we sit, how we work, what we do and how much exercise we do. But the image that I would just put in your head is that you are carrying basically a thing the size of watermelon around on top of your shoulders and it's just wobbling there on a sort of meat stick - your neck. So if you're not in the right position, it starts to put huge stress on the muscles."
The doctor has given a heads-up to all you home workers about minding your posture and taking regular breaks. With NHS stats showing we're parked on our bums for up to nine hours a day, he says keeping your back straight is key, reports the Express.
When should I see a doctor for my neck and back pain?
The expert advises seeking medical attention if neck or back pain is preventing you from carrying out daily activities. He warns: "If any part of your body has gone numb or if the pain is unbearable. If you're struggling to cope, really. You can gauge that. But often, your doctor will advise you to work through it, as it will gradually ease off and exercise is probably your best route."