Back Pain Risk To Sedentary Workers

Office and Call Centre workers are among the most likely to suffer from back pain, says the British Chiropractic Association.

Poor posture while sat at a computer can cause more back problems than the excessive lifting and carrying done by manual workers.

According to the BCA, a third of the population suffers from back pain.

Tim Hutchful from the BCA said: "For many who work in an office environment, it is the day-to-day, mundane routines that are at the root of most back problems. Hunching over computer keyboards and cradling the phone between the ear and shoulder can all contribute to lower back and neck stiffness, not to mention the fact that many office workers sit for hours at a time with very little movement."

The recent survey of 2,374 people, carried out by the BCA, found that 59% of the working population sits down all day at work and almost 50% of those who work refuse to leave their desks, even for lunch.

A total of 56% of BCA chiropractors highlighted that those who work in an office were more vulnerable to becoming victims of back pain.

"This survey has highlighted what we chiropractors have known for some time," said Mr Hutchful. "Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle is taking its toll. "It is assumed that those most at risk from back pain are the ones who have very physical jobs.

"However, as this research has unveiled, whilst lifting and carrying are still common triggers for back pain, it is those with less physically demanding jobs and who are often seated for the majority of the day that could be most prone to back problems."

Source: BCA, BBC News on line.

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