Back pain

In 2017-2018 there were 469,000 reported cases of work related Musculoskeletal disorders leading to 6.6 million working days lost. Of these, 40% were back injuries, 42% upper limbs or neck and 18% lower limbs.

The good news is that self-reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders seem to be decreasing steadily since 2014/15. In 2017/18, work related musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 35% of the prevalence of all work-related illhealth in Great Britain, and 24% of all working days lost due to work-related illness in 2017/18 in Great Britain.

Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders can affect muscles, joints and tendons in all parts of the body. Most WRMSDs develop over time. They can be episodic or chronic in duration and can also result from injury sustained in a work-related accident. Additionally they can progress from mild to severe disorders. These disorders are seldom life threatening but they impair the quality of life of a large proportion of the adult population.

Work-related disorders can develop in an occupational setting due to the physical tasks with which individuals carry out their normal work activities. WRMSDs are associated with work patterns that include:

Fixed or constrained body positions
Continual repetition of movements
Force concentrated on small parts of the body such as the hand or wrist
A pace of work that does not allow sufficient recovery between movements

Additionally workplace psychosocial factors such as organisational culture, the health and safety climate and human factors may create the conditions for WRMSDs to occur. Generally, none of these factors acts separately to cause WRMSDs. They more commonly occur as a result of a combination and interaction among them.

Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Back

Exercise your back regularly – walking, cycling, swimming, (especially back stoke)
Try to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle
Learn to lift heavy objects using the correct lifting technique. Always bend your knees and hips, not your back
Carry larger loads in a comfortable rucksack using both shoulder straps, and avoid sling bags
Maintain a good posture – avoid slumping in your chair, hunching over a desk, or walking with your shoulders hunched
Try to take a short break – every 30 minutes – from sitting
Quit smoking. Smoking can reduce the blood supply to discs between the vertebrae, and this could lead to disc-degeneration
Endeavour to lose any excess weight
Check that your bed provides the correct support and comfort for your weight and build, not just firmness.
Learn relaxation techniques to help manage stress. Stress is a major cause of back pain

When Should You Seek Advice From a Healthcare Practitioner?

If any of the following applies, consult your healthcare practitioner:

Your back pain was preceded by a violent trauma such as a fall from a height or road traffic collision
Pain is constant, progressive, unrelated to movement and uncontrolled by pain medication
You are generally unwell, have experienced unexplained weight loss or are having night pain with associated fever
You have neurological symptoms such as parasthesia, pins and needles or numbness affecting both lower limbs or abnormal bladder or bowel function
You have a past history of cancer, systemic steroid use, drug abuse or HIV
There has been NO change in your back pain in the last 10 days despite following the advice above

What do I need to know abut Lower Back Pain?

Low back pain is very common. In the UK, it affects around 1 in 3 adults every year and frequently recurring episodes are not uncommon.

The most common type of back pain typically affects the lower region of the back, buttocks and thighs, pain levels are affected by activity and generally the patient is well. This is not due to any serious cause and is known as simple low back pain. A full recovery is expected and the condition is typically self limiting.

If you are suffering from simple low back pain, staying active and returning to normal activities as soon as possible significantly increases the speed at which you will recover. Most workers continue to work or return to work within a few days after an episode of low back pain. It is important to remember that you do not have to be completely pain free.

Further Information

BackCare: Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Back

Bupa: Lower Back Pain