An estimated eight million UK adults suffer from chronic back pain. Back Care Awareness Week, 3rd - 7th October, is an opportunity for us all - employers, carers and health care workers to reflect on how we can promote behavioural change and more active lifestyles for employees, residents and ourselves to reduce the likelihood of back pain.
A 2018 survey of 8,000 chronic pain sufferers compiled by leading pain therapist Liebscher & Brachtsurvey found that almost two-thirds of women experienced lower back pain, compared to 55% of men. Within the employment market, retail workers and labourers were identified as the most at risk. Back pain alone accounts for 40% of sickness absence in the NHS, and overall, it costs the UK economy £10bn a year.
The perils of being overly sedentary are well documented. Whilst back pain is not life-threatening like some other health risks of inactivity, chronic back pain can make life pretty miserable. Remaining active as we age isn’t always easy, especially in our senior years when it can become particularly difficult; something care workers will be only too familiar with. Where possible, care home and senior living residents should be encouraged to remain as active as they can and be offered advice on proactive health and wellbeing. It is also equally important that when seated, the furniture provided has been specifically designed and developed to help mitigate the physical and health challenges that can occur especially later in life.
For practical help on back care visit the Optima Health website.
