Lower Back Pain - some useful stats and info!

Estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011-12 National Health Survey indicates that about 3 million Australians (13.6% of the population) have back problems. It has been estimated that 70-90% of people suffer from lower back pain in some form at some point in their lives. From an employer’s point of view lower back pain is associated with both Presenteeism and Absenteeism.

Back problems can have many causes: issues with posture and injuries, diseases such as osteoarthritis, disc disease, osteoporosis, and some genetic conditions. Other factors may increase the risk of developing back problems, such as age, physical fitness, smoking, being overweight, and the type of work a person does.

Many people work in offices or at desks and it is quite simple to develop lower back pain from incorrect ergonomics and bad posture. Lower back pain is not always immediate and can develop over time as a cumulative effect. Because the body is misaligned day after day some muscle groups work harder and over compensate, whilst others can become weak.

Stretching can help with muscular lower back problems. Done consistently this can increase strength and decrease pain.
If you are new to exercise or uncertain about whether stretching is right for you, always consult with a health or exercise specialist. 

By Chris Peters - Bayswater 247 Fitness General Manager

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