lower back pain
Risk factors.
Generally, the incidence of acute back pain decreases above the age of 60. However, in the event that one does continue to have episodes, it is likely to become more frequent and more constant with increasing age.
Research shows that the number of days off work due to the condition is similar between the ages of 16-64. This suggests that there is no relationship between back pain and increasing age and time-off work.
Social class has a significant bearing on the risk of developing back pain. Professionals, such as Engineers, Doctors, Lawyers, are in the category of worker who experiences the least back pain, least low back disability and least work loss from it. Generally occupations requiring heavy manual work, lifting and twisting, whole body vibration have a higer incidence. Likewise where the work is monotonous, there is lack of personal control and low job satisfaction increase the risk.
Reducing the risk:
The risk of episodic back pain can be greatly reduced with a preventative management program consisting of
- Education – on your personal risk factors, achieving your best posture and ergonomics in your work and your daily activities and sports.
- Exercise – specifically suitable to you to help maintain movement, flexibility and maintain a health weight
- An Osteopath or Physiotherapist can do an examination and treatment – specific to you and your needs to regularly address muscle tightness and general stiffness which may be caused by your work, activities and stress.
- Sloane P, Slatt M, Baker R. Essentials of family medicine, baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, 1988:228-35
- Barton S ed. Clinical Evidence. London. BMJ Publishing Group, 2001: 772-87
- Mason V. the prevelence of back pain in Great Britain. Office of populaiton censuses and surveys social survey division, London 1994
- Waddell G. The Back Pain Revolution, Sydney, Churchill Livingstone, 2000