Claudine asked The Guru for the following Physiotherapy Advice: Dear Guru, I have had intermittent back pain for the past 20 years and it is always in the same place. I have been to see various physios, sports masseurs, acupuncturists and osteopaths over the years but although they have treated the symptoms, the pain keeps coming back and I would like a permanent solution. The latest manifestation of my back pain is that my hips hurt after running. It is a muscular thing, not skeletal and I would really appreciate some advice and some reassurance that coming to you is not just another stop-gap solution. Many thanks Claudine

Hi Claudine Ah - were to start.... Treating symptoms will never deal with the cause - that's why we say don't treat, cure. We'll respect your symptoms, but between you and I, it's really the cause that we're interested in! Making you feel better is pretty simple, but keeping you better is slightly trickier. It takes a bit of time, a basic understanding of what's up, and why and off we go. I'd hazard a guess that you've had lots of prodding and poking around the painful bits of your back and a classic back/glut/hamstring stretching program. These are the painful, unstable bits that don't need any more movement. You need to be given the ability to move better through your stiff thoracic spine and maybe the front of your hips - and then showing how to keep moving better with control and stability. If we fail you, we fail ourselves.... We have some great information here The Guru Six Physio