MEDIA RELEASE

01/05/2009

BAD BACK BASICS

 

TOO MANY AUSTRALIANS CONSIDER BACK PAIN A FACT OF LIFE

Too many Australians are accepting back pain as a fact of life, turning to painkillers when the discomfort becomes intense and not exploring the underlying “big picture” reasons for their discomfort, according to the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (National)(CAA).

National research, commissioned for National Chiropractic Care Week 2009 (May 18-24) found 67% of Australians suffer from back pain on a weekly basis and one in four Australians suffers daily pain.[i]

Among retirees, the prevalence of back pain is much higher with one in three suffering daily from back pain.i

Despite the burden of back pain, the majority of Australians consider themselves to be in good health even though three quarters of respondents don’t take the recommended amount of daily exercise.i

Local CAA member, chiropractor Dr David A Jones said, “Lack of exercise is one of the key contributing factors to back pain and poor spinal health along with other ‘big picture’ lifestyle choices such as diet, smoking and poor posture. It’s not just back pain it’s the big picture.”

According to Dr Jones, Australians need to consider that back pain could be a sign of something more significant, and should not be viewed as an inevitable fact of life that should be put up with.

“Back pain can be an indicator of how poor lifestyle choices are affecting an individual’s spinal health,” said Dr Jones. “The vast majority of people consider back pain as something to treat when it happens, usually through prescription and over-the-counter drugs. However while drugs may relieve pain temporarily, they are a quick fix solution, which ignores underlying structural problems and lifestyle habits,” he explained.

The national research also found that many people choose just to rest when they’ve got back pain.i  However, Dr Jones explained it is important to resume normal activities as soon as possible. Staying active helps prevent long term problems.

The CAA research found that people’s weight remains a significant concern with 48% who consider themselves overweight experiencing daily back pain.i Being overweight made them almost twice as likely to experience daily back pain when compared to the average Australian.i

“Making good lifestyle choices and maintaining your spinal health are the key to reducing the risk of back pain and leading a healthy life,” said Dr Jones.

Through their five-year university training, chiropractors can provide specialist care, exercises, healthy lifestyle advice and information regarding the ‘big picture’.

“Chiropractic care offers a safe , proven, and effective drug free choice in spinal health care. Chiropractic can help you get to the cause of your pain and most importantly, it helps you to maintain your long term spinal health and maximize your body’s potential in overall health and performance.” said Dr Jones.

As part of National Chiropractic Care Week 2009 (May 18 – 24), the CAA has developed a free ‘Big Picture” booklet on spinal health, to provide great information to Australians and help them lead healthy lives. Also as part of this national week, selected chiropractors will also help Australians by offering free spinal assessments and will be on hand to provide expert advice on how to get and maintain good spinal health.

For more information on National Chiropractic Care Week 2009 visit www.chiropractors.asn.au/thebigpicture or contact the CAA hotline on 1800 075 003.

 

END

 

Media Contact

Dr David A Jones

Chiropractor

B.App.Sc(Comp med), M Clin Chiro

Member of COCA and CAA

Bergamo Chiropractic & Nutrition Centre

Childrens Health Centre of Australia

346A Boronia Rd, Boronia 3155

(03) 9887 4144

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