History

Who is most likely to suffer back pain or injury? The simple answer to that is every single one of us. Back pain is not selective by age, gender, occupation or geography. In fact according to a survey reported by The National Back Pain Association now BackCare, there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that back, hip and neck problems are common in 50% of school children. Research has also shown that of teenagers examined over 35% had permanently damaged spines.

Back pain and all of its consequences is something that has an effect on every single one of us. Whether directly as the victim or as a close relative or friend of a victim we each have first hand knowledge of the debilitating impact pain in the back causes. It is not though a modern phenomenon, back pain has been with us since the dawn of man. In fact the earliest known reference to back strain dates as far back as 1500 BC and is recorded as a surgical text on papyrus.

Illness or Symptom?

Back pain is, of course, not an illness in itself it is a symptom. It is the body's way of letting you know that there is a problem with either the spine or its surrounding muscles. It could also be an indicator of problems unrelated to the spine, which makes it absolutely vital that early incidences of pain are not ignored. Despite a belief by many that "nothing can be done" this is certainly not the case should the pain be an early symptom of kidney disease, for example. Consult your doctor at the earliest opportunity; in extreme circumstances it could be a life saving move.

The "Invisible" Condition

Despite being the greatest single human affliction there is one aspect of back pain that sets it apart from other conditions. You cannot see it, a plaster cast is readily associated with a broken limb, serious chest complaints are often accompanied by bouts of coughing. There is either a visual or audible indication that there is something wrong. With the back of course there is really only your word for it, which is why backache has often been seen as a foolproof way for the malingerer or 'skiver' to have those few extra days off work now and again. Even if your family or colleagues are sympathetic to your plight at the outset that understanding can nevertheless wear thin, especially if they believe it has lasted a little longer than they think it should have.

It Won't Effect Me

Statistics indicate that 80% of men and women suffer from back pain at some stage in their lives with an astonishing 10% of the adult population of Britain having had a back problem within the last month that has restricted their activities. The extent of that suffering will obviously cover a very broad spectrum but at the upper end of the scale the impact does have far reaching consequences that can result in a significant deterioration in lifestyle, both at work and in the home.

Family Tension

Back injuries can create a great deal of family tension. If, for example, a family member becomes bedridden or hospitalised it places tremendous additional burden on the remaining 'fit' partner and if young children form part of the family unit further complications arise. A hospital visit might require baby-sitters to be organised, then there is the cost of the visit itself. In the home, tasks previously shared become the responsibility of the healthy partner. All of these additional pressures can cause tension that is hardly conducive to the recovery of the injured party.

Early "Retirement"

Unfortunately, not quite in the way it had been planned and much sooner than expected. In over twenty years of delivering courses and lectures on the subject of manual handling and its associated risks I have collected many anecdotal examples of both the short and long term effect of back injury. The family holiday cancelled at short notice, the keen rugby player no longer able to play, the Fireman injured whilst attempting to lift a pit cover who is now unable to carry out his pre-accident employment. The Bank Clerk who developed back pain and sciatica lifting bags of money and boxes and is now only capable of sedentary employment. The Laboratory Technician who wrenched his back carrying boxes of rock samples, he too is only fit for sedentary employment. In the majority of the cases cited above substantial compensation was awarded. Monetary compensation may well be a short term palliative but in the longer term can it adequately replace doing the job of your choice over a full working lifetime?

Quality of Life

There are other elements of long term back trouble that can seriously impact on your quality of life. How many of us ever really stop to think of what life would be like without those everyday pleasures that we so easily take for granted. Dancing, sport, gardening, playing with the children. It is impossible to guarantee a life free from back pain, what is certain though is that with a little thought, a degree of care and quality training you can begin to significantly reduce the risk .