Self-employed builder Ray Butler faced the bleak prospect of giving up work when the back pain that had been troubling him for years grew steadily worse.

But thanks to expert treatment at the hands of chiropractor Mark Blokland, he is looking forward to returning to work in a matter of weeks.

Swindon father of four, Ray, 45, has been working as a builder for about 25 years.

But years of bad habits took their toll on Ray, who started to experience back pain three years ago.

"A healthy back is something you take for granted. I am used to doing things with my hands. Your back is the last thing you think about ."

Ray was treated by a physiotherapist which eased the problem, but did not solve it.

As a last resort, Ray's GP referred him to Mark.

He explained: "When Ray came to me four weeks ago he was bent over and had to use two walking sticks."

Ray was suffering what is commonly known as a slipped disc.

Pressure from constant bending over and lifting caused a bulge in one of the fluid filled sacks between the vertebrae, putting pressure on the nerves and causing great pain.

Mark explained: "The traditional advice for people with a a slipped disc is bed rest combined with anti-inflammatory drugs." This will help relieve the pain and reduce inflammation, but there is a high risk of the same problem happening again.

The chiropractic approach focuses on manipulating the spine to help move the disc back into the correct position.

"Scar tissue can sometimes form on the disc which will help repair the damage."

He warned: "It will always be weak, but in Ray's case he could be back to work."

Mark also places a great emphasis on prevention, teaching Ray to become more aware of how he is lifting, to reduce the risk of the problem reoccuring in the future.

He has also suggested a series of exercises which Ray can regularly follow while he is working, to relieve the pressure on his spine.

After just two weeks of treatment, during which he has been unable to work, Ray has dispensed with his sticks and is now able to walk upright.

Mark works with major companies like Nationwide, Motorola, Intel and St Ivel.

He offers advice on how they can ensure they remain fit to work.

Mark, who has been working from the Ridgeway Chiropractic Clinic for six years, said: "There is increasing recognition that addressing the issue of back problems is in their own best interests.

"I have a good relationship with GPs in the area and I get referrals from them."

Most back pain patients are aged between 40-55 and often their problem is caused by years of bad lifting techniques or bad posture.

Great emphasis is placed on preventing further problems.

Mark Blokland trained for five years before becoming a chiropractor. He is also a qualified cranial chiropractor and shares the clinic with fellow chiropractor Ian Jolly.

As part of National Back Care Week, which starts Monday, the Ridgeway Clinic is holding free slide presentations about Chiropractic and back pain in the Ellendune Hall, Wroughton on Monday October 23 at 6.30pm.

And the clinic will is also offering a free spinal check-up throughout the week. To contact the clinic call 01793 845300.