18 Jun Burden of back pain
Estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017–18 National Health Survey report approximately 4 million Australians (16% of the population) have consistent back problems.
This makes back problems the 2nd leading cause of disease burden overall in Australia, accounting for 4.1% of Australia’s total disease burden.
Looking after your spine is absolutely crucial as it is estimated that 70–90% of people will suffer from some form of lower back pain at some point in their lives.
Dr Joseph Perese, a chiropractor from Platinum Chiropractic Centre, said the most common problem he see’s in patients is,
“Back pain, neck pain and headaches. And people are treating these issues with strong drugs, injections and surgery. These methods aren’t very effective for persistent pain.”
Chiropractors are experts in spinal care, they diagnose and treat conditions or problems associated with the spine.
Dr Perese went on to say that movement and exercise is the key to preventing back pain and improving the health of your spine.
“A variety of exercise and movement is an effective treatment for back pain and great for spinal health. Some pain is normal when you start to move or exercise, but usually settles as you get more active. So move it or lose it!”
If you’re stuck behind a desk all day, make sure to assess the ergonomics of your set up. Get up from your desk and take regular breaks to move and stretch at a frequency of about every hour. But if pain and problems persist, it is best to have it assessed by a professional, so it can be accurately diagnosed and the treatment can be tailored specifically for that individual.
