Smart ways to avoid back pain

9 October 2002

Back pain has now reached epidemic proportions in the UKwith over 16 million people predicted to suffer from it every year (1). BUPAWellness, as a leading provider of musculoskeletal services, is using NationalBackCare Awareness Week (14 to 18 October) as an opportunity to raise awarenessof treatment for back pain and, most importantly, how to prevent problemsstarting in the first place.

Dr Phil Bell, clinical director of musculoskeletalmedicine at BUPA Wellness says: "Each year over 5 million adults in the UKconsult their GP about back pain, costing over 1 billion a year (2). Accordingto a survey conducted in 2000, almost half the UK population reported low backpain lasting for at least 24 hours at some time during the year. It's notcommon knowledge, but the way people sit and behave at work can have a profoundeffect on the development of back pain and one of the most effective treatmentsis to stay active."

"Further help is available through BUPA Wellness'musculoskeletal service. We provide patients with access to a wide range oftreatments and practitioners, offering the best chance of a successfulrecovery. Specialists such as orthopaedic physicians, physiotherapists,osteopaths and podiatrists are all well qualified and have high standards ofclinical skills. They can access the physical therapy most appropriate for yourback, advise on exercise rehabilitation and fast track you through for surgeryif necessary."

Work-related Back Pain

Unbelievably, back pain is the nation's leading cause ofdisability today affecting 1.1 million people in the UK and is the cause of onein eight absences from work (3). Adults in the UK are spending at least twohours a day in front of a computer screen or the TV and these activities canwreak havoc on your back if you are not sitting correctly. If bouts of backpain are triggered through your daily work routines, like driving for longperiods or sitting at a computer, there are still steps you can take to reducesymptoms.

You can start by adjusting your sitting position, findways to keep active in the office such as making several trips to thephotocopier, or taking the stairs down to the post room instead of the lift.You could also make the most of your breaks to get out and stretch your legs.If you need to pick up heavy loads - it's best to take your time and bend fromthe knees, not the waist.

Back Pain is also an everyday affair

Prevention is just as crucial at home as it is at work. Wetend to take care with those activities we know might put a strain on our backssuch as heavy gardening or lifting. But it's everyday tasks that more oftenthan not trigger back pain. How many of us think about taking care getting outof bed each day, let alone bending at the knees to tuck in the sheets? Mostpeople don't even know that you can damage your back simply doing the ironingif the board isn't secured at waist-height.

Other simple tips include sitting down to peel and preparevegetables and keeping your back straight whilst vacuuming. When it comes tothe end of a busy day it's all too easy to slump down in front of the TV withdinner on your knee. It's a well-known fact that our bodies are designed tokeep moving so the best idea is to change position every 20 minutes or so. Ifyou are sitting down, stand up and stretch, even take a short walk beforesitting back down again.

Muscularskeletal services are widely available from BUPAWellness centres across the UK for more information please call 0845 601 4915or log on to www.bupa.co.uk for additionalfact sheet information.

Notes to editors:

(1) Reference from The Prevalence of Back Pain in GreatBritain 1998, Department of Health.

(2) Effective Health Care Bulletin, NHS Centre for Reviewsand Dissemination, University of York, November 2000.

(3) Disability Data from the Labour Force Survey, LabourMarket Trends, June 1998.