Although it may not be the most common cause of back injuries, the simple sneeze contains hidden dangers that people should be aware of.

This is according to a recent article in the Daily Mail, which reveals that violent sneezing has caused people in the UK to suffer muscle strains, slipped discs, cracked ribs and sciatica.

One of these people, Lauren Henshaw, was forced to take three months off work and needed hospital treatment after a sneeze resulted in a slipped disc in her back.

Sports injury specialist Professor Adam Carey told the newspaper that a heavy sneeze can produce "the whiplash effect", which has been known to "cause all sorts of muscle strain or bone problems".

Ms Henshaw suffered her sneeze-induced injury two years ago, but the 28-year-old claims to still be feeling the effects.

"I still have sciatica and pain from my slipped disc and I'm terrified of getting injured again," she said.

Ultrasound has been used to treat sciatica, which is characterised by shooting pains in the leg and lower back, since the 1940s.