Welsh Residents Struggle with Back Pain: 78% Face Ongoing Discomfort according to new data

Back pain is an issue sweeping Wales, as a surging number report suffering with aches and pains, in a recent report from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA).

As part of this year’s Back Care Awareness Week (3-7 October), the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) is empowering people to look after their backs and joints through simple lifestyle changes, after finding that 78% of Wales are struggling with back pain on a daily basis.

As NHS strikes and GP waiting times continue to rise, the BCA has found that nearly a third (32%) of Wales that are suffering from joint and back pain admit they avoid seeing their GP.

Instead, Wales is investing its efforts into preventative care, with 50% using exercise to manage their back and joint pain, the research found.

The study also found that in Wales:

·       Nearly a quarter (22%) of people have had to take over 12-months off work due to their back and joint pains

·       A third (33%) of people have lived with bone and joint pain for longer than 12-months

·       30% haven’t seen a GP to treat their bone and joint pain as they struggled to get an appointment

Chiropractor and President of the BCA, Catherine Quinn, shares her simple and quick tips to help manage your aches and pains:

1.         Take a stand: Inactivity is a leading cause of back pain. If you spend most of your day sitting down, make sure that you take regular breaks, ideally every 20-30 minutes. Stand up, change position and walk around a little.

2.       Stretch it out: If you struggle to get away from your seat at work, simple activities such as stretching, shoulder shrugging or even fidgeting in your seat can help to keep your back in line.

3.       Get active: Exercise is key to a healthy back. This doesn’t mean that you need to embark on any extreme fitness regimes. Adding just a few extra minutes of walking a day can hugely benefit your back health.

4.       Check your workspace: If your job primarily involves sitting at a desk and staring at a computer for hours at a time, make sure your workspace is set up to support a comfortable position. This is different for everyone, so if you don’t feel comfortable in your current set up, try altering the height of your chair or screen.

5.       Straighten Up!: Try incorporating some simple exercises into your daily routine. The BCA has developed a series of simple exercises designed to improve your posture and prevent back pain by promoting balance strength and flexibility in the spine.