Back pain on the rise
People are being urged to become more active after a leading back pain expert warned that staying seated for long periods of time could result in serious health problems.
Barrie Savory, one of Britain’s most respected osteopaths and author of ‘The Good Back Guide spoke in detail about a condition known as ‘sitting down syndrome’ – one that has become prevalent by working in front of computers more, driving and sitting on a train longer for the daily work commute, and watching more TV.
Research from the British Chiropractic Association showed that 32 per cent of the adult UK population now spend more than 10 hours a day seated because of these reasons.
In 2003-04, nearly 5 million working days were lost as a result of back pain, meaning that, on any one day, 1 per cent of the working population were on sick leave due to a back problem.
Savory recommends a variety of self-treatment ways to get your back moving again: “The best treatment for most back pain is staying active.
“Before you pay for expensive treatments, try doing simple stretches at your desk every hour, and pay attention to your posture when seated and standing.
“Also using heat therapy can be comforting, improving blood supply and circulation which can help to relieve joint stiffness and muscle spasms.”
FemaleFirst: Fiona Haran
Tagged in back pain