Back Pain: Live Better, We’ve Got Your Back!

The average life expectancy of a male born today is almost 80 years of age while a female is as high as 84. We are now living longer lives than we ever have before and, to keep up a high quality of life, we need to keep our levels of back and neck pain as low as possible.

Back and neck pain can have many causes: issues with posture and injuries, diseases such as osteoarthritis, disc disease, osteoporosis, and some genetic conditions. Other factors may increase the risk of developing back problems, such as age, physical fitness, smoking, being overweight, and the type of work a person does.

It is estimated that 1 in 11 people in Australia (1.8 million people) suffered from back problems in 2007-08 (ABS), and 70-90% of people will suffer from it at some point in their lives.

back pain statistics

During Spinal Health Week this May 19-24 it is important to realize how important a healthy spine, as well as maintaining a good level of fitness, is to optimum health.

Postural Fitness

Postural fitness can prevent problems that may occur in your muscles, joints and ligaments and it can also prevent potential injury.

We can protect and stabilise our spine by:

  • Building up core muscle strength
  • Improving our postural fitness, such as not sitting down for too long and sitting correctly
  • Using proper techniques when bending or lifting
  • Restoring and maintaining healthy spinal joints and mobility with Chiropractic check-ups

 

Can we avoid being forced into early retirement?

Did you know that over a quarter of a million Australians are being forced into early retirement because of back or arthritic pain?

Chronic back pain is one of the top three causes of disability in Australia.

Forced early retirement can be a savage blow to hopes of prosperity and a nightmare if it’s coupled with chronic back pain.

Retiring too early due to chronic pain may be prevented by seeing a chiropractor.  Chiropractic care is an effective management of different types of back pain.

The Chiropractors Association Of Australia (CAA) has also developed the ‘Sit Right’ widget to help computer users take regular breaks and move around every 20, 40 or 60 mins.