• Pain relief sales have more than doubled year on year
• The top five most common pain complaints as a result of the lockdown are headaches, back pain, eye strain, knee and hip pain and wrist ache
• Boots is providing all of its pharmacists with additional pain management training as a result

Boots UK has revealed a significant 105% year on year increase in sales of pain relief products following a year of working from home and at home workouts.

Increased numbers of customers are experiencing joint pain, with Boots reporting a 6,604% increase in online searches for supports, such as back and knee supports in the last year. The retailer also saw sales of products designed to relieve tired or strained eyes rise by 274% as the nation continued to work from home. The top selling products in the category; Deep Heat Rub and Boots Max Strength Ibuprofen 10% Gel show that muscular pain is also a key concern for many customers. 

In order to help customers, Boots has provided additional training to all of its 5,000 pharmacists on pain management. The training programme educates them on how to help customers manage pain holistically through lifestyle advice and relevant healthcare products. The retailer also offers an online pain management programme on the new Health Hub on boots.com, which includes advice on understanding chronic pain, managing pain whilst working from home, plus tips on movement and medication.

Boots Chief Pharmacist, Marc Donovan, says: “If you’re in pain, the most important thing you can do is seek expert advice. Boots offers support both instore via our specially trained pharmacists or online through our pain management service, meaning that it is easier, convenient and more accessible for customers to help treat some of the aches and pains that have been exacerbated throughout lockdown.”

Marc Donovan shares his top tips for helping to alleviate the most common pain complaints reported over the last year:

• Headaches – More screen time or poor lighting could be contributing factors for headaches. Drink lots of water, ensure you are exercising regularly and take frequent breaks from screens.
• Back Pain – Many people have been using their kitchen or dining room chairs to work from during lockdown, which may not provide the right level of support and could result in back pain. Do try to keep as active as possible and practice good posture, but speak to your Pharmacist or GP if the pain is severe or persistent.
• Joint Pain – Whilst it may not feel like it, keeping active and exercising regularly is important for joint pain. Consider using a support for the area causing you pain; knee, wrist or ankle supports can help.
• Muscle Pain – There are many ways to ease muscular pain - warming up and down when you exercise helps to prevent further damage and be sure to stay hydrated. If your muscles feel sore or tense, try taking a warm bath to help to relax and ease those aches and pains.

For more information about how to manage pain, visit boots.com/health/pain-management